thegrower
Seedling
Just wondering what species would you look for if you were hunting bonsai in the SC wild. A few that come to mind I have seen recently. Beech, hornbeam and locust. Any suggestions. I am located in the upstate.
Harvest South Carolina
- Thread starter thegrower
- Start date
Eric Group
Masterpiece
Winged Elm
Acer Rubrum (Red Maple)
Bald Cypress (in swamps)
Red Cedar (Juniperus Virginia)
There are landscape trees that thrive here and have spread out to areas of the wild... Crepe Myrtle, Japanese Maples, all sorts of Pines, Elms, Plum... That might be something you could stumble upon if close to inhabited areas...
Acer Rubrum (Red Maple)
Bald Cypress (in swamps)
Red Cedar (Juniperus Virginia)
There are landscape trees that thrive here and have spread out to areas of the wild... Crepe Myrtle, Japanese Maples, all sorts of Pines, Elms, Plum... That might be something you could stumble upon if close to inhabited areas...
jomawa
Shohin
I am only speaking about a non-native (thornier than all get out) black locust. Have jokingly thrown out the challenge to bnutters crazy enough to try it, (remember the advertisement "I'm not gonna try it, you try it." "I'm not gonna try it" "Hey Mikey..."?) But I digress. I know a guy with forest property that had a homestead and some black locust trees on it. Thinking they would be gone after he logged, he proceeded to do so, but to his chagrin he found it not to be the case, because they resprout out of just about any part of the former tree
. Rather than try to further eradicte this nuisance only growing in a corner of his property, he is allowing them to grow because their wood is a wonderfull product. I suggest you do a search on bnut of black locust to read other nutter responses and the basic nature of the plant to consistently not spit out branching where you want them, to say nothing of the thorns on these beasties, (which you must leave on and wire around, because that is bonsai rule #27, under thorn section #3)
. But, if you are up to the "Ultimate Black Locust B-Nut Challenge", just make sure you let us know how it's going for ya, (because that's "...Challenge" rule #18 under section B)
. 
Oh, and sorry, I wasn't thinking earlier when I said "only speaking about black locust". Saw some stunning leafless hornbeam bonsai (initially thought they were maple) at February's local bonsai class meeting. I would steer anyone toward hornbeam bonsai. Very stunning bark and branching even on younger bonsai.
coh
Imperial Masterpiece
I've been experimenting with black locust. Have posted about it somewhere on this forum. Planted a seedling in my growing bed a few years ago, it grew extremely fast (faster than any other tree I've grown). Reached almost 5" at the base, chopped it, it resprouted from a couple of places but a big part of the trunk died. This may be a blessing as I'll be able to carve and reduce the overall weight. Anyway, it has since been dug and replanted as it needs a couple of years to develop the next trunk segment.
I have no idea if it will be manageable in a pot. Have seen a pic or two of bonsai specimens on the internet, but they are rare.
I have no idea if it will be manageable in a pot. Have seen a pic or two of bonsai specimens on the internet, but they are rare.
armetisius
Chumono
good gloves I tell ya!,
what part of what I wanted/needed for Christmas
did you not understand?
what part of what I wanted/needed for Christmas
did you not understand?
JoeR
Masterpiece
I would add forsythia to the list as well as blueberry, hawthorn, and sparkleberry (if ANYONE knows how to collect them!).
Are forsythia native to the carolinas? I found a good size patch deep in the woods around our house where there is no way someone planted it and there are no landscape ones for at least a few miles. Maybe birds?
sorce
Nonsense Rascal
I'm in for a Thorn poke!
I wouldn't worry much about too specific of a species......
Nebari or bust!
Sorce
I wouldn't worry much about too specific of a species......
Nebari or bust!
Sorce
Waldo Street Pottery
Chumono
Water elm are very nice as well...
thegrower
Seedling
Great info. As challenging (dangerous)as it may be I have looked at the locust. Mainly because there is one in my yard that slightly hangs over the vegetable garden. Those things are always popping up. I also have a persimmon tree with a few sprouts around the base. Thought that might be cool. Thanks for all the replies.
M. Frary
Bonsai Godzilla
Hackberry live that far south?
quietobserver
Omono
Me too. Got a new grill as a hint that i need to grill more....at least nobody's gonna convince me otherwise.
pitch pine, table mountain pine, chalk maple, chickasaw plum, hawthorn, and hop-hornbeam are a few that haven't been mentioned...
I think winged elm are one of the most underused, yet bonsai-friendly, species....
You'll probably have a hard time finding bald cypress and water elm in the upstate, but from the midlands to the coast they are pretty easy to locate.
I think winged elm are one of the most underused, yet bonsai-friendly, species....
You'll probably have a hard time finding bald cypress and water elm in the upstate, but from the midlands to the coast they are pretty easy to locate.
coh
Imperial Masterpiece
Anyone tried black gum (Nyssa sylvatica)? I've been tempted because of the extraordinary fall coloring they can develop, but they don't seem too common up here. Been thinking about ordering a couple of seedlings or young trees to plant out.
jomawa
Shohin
Zach Smith
Omono
The Southern hackberry, also known as sugarberry, is widely found in South Louisiana. Definitely thrives down South.
Zach
CWTurner
Omono
Eric Group
Masterpiece
I don't know how I left that off my list. Got two huge ones in my yard- @johng specials! Speaking of John, if he is around, he and @Ken Duncan are two of the most experienced in this state at collecting wild SC trees. We'd be blessed if either of you guys want to chime in? I know you guys don't do much on the forums any more...
Lmao! Replied to an older post and missed that John already Had chimed in! Blessed indeed!
Eric Group
Masterpiece
John, where can we find Hawthorn in our area? I have seen some really nice ones- @Zach Smith posted a very nice one recently I think... Sure would love to find a few of those!
GroveKeeper
Shohin
Semi on topic... I have a small exposed root black locust that I am training from a root cutting. Incidentally, that appears to be the best method of propagation for me.
Anyway, It's doing okay. Maybe it hasn't formed a bond with nitrogen fixing bacteria because it doesn't grow very fast in a pot. Leaves aren't that big either,
Anyway, It's doing okay. Maybe it hasn't formed a bond with nitrogen fixing bacteria because it doesn't grow very fast in a pot. Leaves aren't that big either,
coh
Imperial Masterpiece
Actually, this reminded me that the one I'm working with started as a root sucker. Had a seedling black locust show up one year in our veggie garden, so I moved it to the yard. It grew quickly and started producing root suckers...dug one up and planted it in the nursery bed for potential bonsai use. I didn't think it was going to survive because I got almost no fine roots with it, but it went crazy, developed from a pencil size tree to 5" base in about 3 seasons. They are tough trees. One big problem, at least with the particular one I've got...it throws root suckers all over the place. My growing beds are full of them, up to 20' from the main tree.
