New Bonsai Enthusiast - Question about Populus alba

[Cam42]

Hello All,

I have just gotten interested in Bonsai and have a quick question about potentially starting a Populus alba tree. I know this is not an ideal species to turn into a bonsai, but I still want to try because this particular species has always been one of my favorites and I used to have them at the home I grew up in. Anyways, I was wondering if this species can theoretically be kept indoors over the winter. I read that the species originates from parts of Morocco and Europe (wikipedia, not positive) and can live in regions with mild winters, so I was wondering if it may not need a dormancy period like many temperate trees. If anyone has anything else to add on determining if a tree can survive year-round indoors I'd appreciate the information. I have read that temperate trees need a cold period, while tropical trees can survive indoors year-round, but what about trees from subtropical regions?

 

[sorce]

Welcome to Crazy!

Sorce

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Hello All,

I have just gotten interested in Bonsai and have a quick question about potentially starting a Populus alba tree. I know this is not an ideal species to turn into a bonsai, but I still want to try because this particular species has always been one of my favorites and I used to have them at the home I grew up in. Anyways, I was wondering if this species can theoretically be kept indoors over the winter. I read that the species originates from parts of Morocco and Europe (wikipedia, not positive) and can live in regions with mild winters, so I was wondering if it may not need a dormancy period like many temperate trees. If anyone has anything else to add on determining if a tree can survive year-round indoors I'd appreciate the information. I have read that temperate trees need a cold period, while tropical trees can survive indoors year-round, but what about trees from subtropical regions?

Welcome to the site!

You are really asking two separate questions: (1) Can I keep this tree alive indoors and (2) is it BETTER to keep this tree alive indoors.

White poplar, though deciduous, is not a cold hardy tree that requires a hard winter. However, ALL trees will do better living outside than being kept inside.

 

[Quince]

If your white poplar come from a region with very mild winters it is possible that they could survive without winter dormancy. In my experience most trees really prefer to be outside. A temperate or subtropical tree that experiences natural seasons will emerge from dormancy with much more vigor than its counterpart strung along all winter indoors. Also, you might want to fill in your region and zone information on your profile. It will help others to advise you.

 

[Cam42]

Thanks everyone for the information and suggestions!

Bonsai Nut, thank you for your advice and quick response. Since there are so many of these little guys popping up in my yard each spring I actually did plant one in a large outdoor pot and it seems to be doing well so far. I also am allowing a few to grow in my yard directly where they started growing naturally. Lastly, I planted one in a small pot that I intended to keep inside, but was not sure if it was 100% going to die. Since I have a few of them growing, I think I'll take the chance and see if I can keep the one inside. If it dies, at least I have some backups to cheer me up.

Quince, thank you as well for your response. I filled in my profile so people can get a better idea of my climate in the future. Since I am from Milwaukee WI the winters do get fairly cold, so perhaps this population of poplars might be more inclined to experience a cold period? Given that the tree clearly prefers not to stay indoors year round, maybe I will try to at least keep it in a cold room / location for the winter months.

One more follow up question:
During the winter period would the tree prefer a reduced amount of light? In Milwaukee there isn't much sunlight in the winter, so It makes sense that the tree would not want a lot of light during this time. If this is the case, is there a minimum amount of light that the tree will need as well?

 

[Quince]

Thanks everyone for the information and suggestions!

Bonsai Nut, thank you for your advice and quick response. Since there are so many of these little guys popping up in my yard each spring I actually did plant one in a large outdoor pot and it seems to be doing well so far. I also am allowing a few to grow in my yard directly where they started growing naturally. Lastly, I planted one in a small pot that I intended to keep inside, but was not sure if it was 100% going to die. Since I have a few of them growing, I think I'll take the chance and see if I can keep the one inside. If it dies, at least I have some backups to cheer me up.

Quince, thank you as well for your response. I filled in my profile so people can get a better idea of my climate in the future. Since I am from Milwaukee WI the winters do get fairly cold, so perhaps this population of poplars might be more inclined to experience a cold period? Given that the tree clearly prefers not to stay indoors year round, maybe I will try to at least keep it in a cold room / location for the winter months.

One more follow up question:
During the winter period would the tree prefer a reduced amount of light? In Milwaukee there isn't much sunlight in the winter, so It makes sense that the tree would not want a lot of light during this time. If this is the case, is there a minimum amount of light that the tree will need as well?

Indoor light, even bright indoor light, will pale in comparison to full outdoor sun so I wouldn't worry about overdoing it. Water demands on the other hand will be greatly reduced. Just let the tree tell you what it needs.
I too am from Wisconsin, and I can tell you that over time I have cut back on the number of trees I over winter indoors. Temperate or even native trees kept outdoors develop much faster for me and require less fussing. If you are in Wisconsin you might want to look into hackberries, hornbeams, junipers, or tamaracks.