Sapling Division: Gabler's Sweetgum Forest Planting

[Gabler]

I collected a bunch of Liquidambar styraciflua, and I'm hoping to develop it into a decent forest planting. The little sticks around the sides and back are hardwood cuttings from last fall. As they're not yet rooted, I moved them over to the landscape planting pot. You'll notice the buds are starting to open, including on all of the cuttings. Hopefully all the material recovers and grows strong roots, but if anything outright dies, I can easily replace it. Sweetgum is easy to come by. It grows like a weed, and the wood is poor for building and burning, so most people want it gone—as opposed to black walnut, which also grows like a weed, but for some reason it still commands the highest price amongst hardwoods.

 

[Forsoothe!]

The big ones need to be chopped lower, the sooner, the better. This is going to be a winner.

 

[Gabler]

The big ones need to be chopped lower, the sooner, the better. This is going to be a winner.

Thanks for that input. That's exactly what I've been wondering about this past week. For the main tree, I'm thinking of chopping at that main branch that extends up and to the back, turning it into the leader/apex. Even though the resulting wound would face forward, sweetgum heals well. At least wild trees heal well. I have no first-hand bonsai experience with them, but expect similar behavior.

The two trunks behind it will then be taller, and they don't have an obvious new leader I can use to shorten them in proportion to the primary tree. I was going to wait for new branches to appear as back buds and then start chopping, but that might be the push I need to take decisive action. The buds are just starting to open, so it should still be a good time to chop.

 

[Gabler]

 

[HorseloverFat]

I really like this!
Liquidambers are SOOO neat... I wish I could slap on some war paint and “wrangle” me some.

Literally overflowing with forest potential!!!!!
..the arrangement is pleasing to the eye..

I, for one, am quite excited to watch this planting grow/develop.

 

[Gabler]

I really like this!

Thanks!

 

[Kanorin]

Great start! I'm excited to watch this one over time.

 

[Gabler]

Great start! I'm excited to watch this one over time.

Thanks!

 

[Gabler]

Some flowers are growing from the moss.



Also, leaves:

 

[Gabler]

They're moving slowly, but some of the saplings and cuttings are starting to open their buds, and a few are leafing out, including two seedlings I found and added amongst the cuttings.

The composition as viewed from the right—i.e. the front of the forest is the left side of the picture:



The big tree in front:



The small sapling to the left:



A new sapling I added to the left:



A seedling I added to the back:



Some cuttings starting to leaf out:

 

[Gabler]

I think the two trees in the rear might not make it. They responded poorly to collection. I have other saplings in reserve to replace them if need be. For now, into the hothouse tent for 99% humidity.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Really nice start and good variation in trunk diameters.

 

[Gabler]

Thanks

 

[Gabler]

The tree survival rate isn’t great, but I still have a start to the forest planting. Note that somehow a little maple made it in there, lol.

 

[HorseloverFat]

The tree survival rate isn’t great, but I still have a start to the forest planting. Note that somehow a little maple made it in there, lol.

View attachment 371530

I guess they land further on the “needs a larger bundle/mass of fine roots scale”.... I wish I could collect these.

I’m glad that replacements are easy to come by for you..

You thinkin’ fall collect some more and protect it over winter?

 

[Forsoothe!]

I have bad luck with doing anything major in autumn. I want to do major work when trees are growing and have some recovery time before it's time to go to sleep. Work in fall is too often just guiding them to The Big Sleep.

 

[Gabler]

I read somewhere else on here they like to be collected in late May. I’m gonna experiment with that later this month.

 

[Gabler]

Also, a correction. Another of the big trees is leafing out at the bottom.

 

[HorseloverFat]

I read somewhere else on here they like to be collected in late May. I’m gonna experiment with that later this month.

Interesting!

Please document. (Like I had any doubts )

 

[Gabler]

I thought they had died, but they’re both sending out new buds. The greenhouse is magic. It’s compensated for a lot of rookie mistakes. Of course not all of the cuttings made it, but the big trees seem to be hanging in there.