Any Experience with this Native Species?

BMV Bonsai

Sapling
Messages
42
Reaction score
53
Location
Bowling Green Kentucky
USDA Zone
6 B
Hello Forums,

I collected this Kentucky Yellowwood (Cladrastis Kentukea) on my property in December of 2014. It was growing in a cascading style naturally with a long taproot and about 4-5; 3 inch long feeder roots. I flipped it 90 degrees so it was upright in the pot. At the time I collected it I had no idea what species it was or if it would even make it. I potted in up in a pine bark heavy bonsai soil and placed the 1.5 gallon container in another container and surrounded it with mulch. It came out in late April , and it took me about a 2 weeks to figure out what I was even dealing with.

Here are a few photos of the plant as of today:

photo 2.jpg photo 3.jpg photo 4.jpg


Here is the plant after collection and the rock that I was wanting to put it on.
photo 1.jpg

I just wanted to know if anyone had any experience with this species, although it is pretty regionally specific.

Brian
 

zachkent29

Mame
Messages
199
Reaction score
263
Location
Nashville, TN
USDA Zone
7a
Brian from the Nashville club? Welcome to Bnut!

Hopefully someone here can help you.
 

Eric Group

Masterpiece
Messages
4,554
Reaction score
4,854
Location
Columbia, SC
No experience with this tree specifically, but it looks like it has big, compound leaves... Not ideal for Bonsai.
Go get an Elm, Maple, heck even most Pines trees (except the ones with 18 inch needles)... They would be better candidates.

What you have here will be tough to style.
 

Bunjeh

Chumono
Messages
713
Reaction score
426
Location
DuPont, WA
USDA Zone
8a
You could have fun with this. It's has great movement. I have some acer macrophyllum that naturally have leaves as big as my head, but I grow them for the winter silhouettes. This looks similar to ash and I know there are examples on Bnut.
 

BMV Bonsai

Sapling
Messages
42
Reaction score
53
Location
Bowling Green Kentucky
USDA Zone
6 B
Thanks for the input guys. Seeing as how it was bare and lifeless when I collected it, I knew i was taking a chance. I am aware that the species isn't a prime candidate, but the leaf size isn't terrible. The largest leaves on the end are about 1-1.5" wide and 2-2.5" long. The plant also has been back budding like crazy and the new growth comes out much smaller. I feel the trunk movement and overall feel of the tree outweigh the stated flaws, and for that reason I want to pursue applying bonsai techniques to this species.
If anyone has any input or experience with this species that would be appreciated
 

rockm

Spuds Moyogi
Messages
14,182
Reaction score
22,184
Location
Fairfax Va.
USDA Zone
7
the problem is with its compound leaves and a small trunk. Compound leaves are single leaves made up of smaller leaves. Wisteria has compound leaves, for a comparison. This species does to. Compound leaves do NOT reduce much, if at all.

The "smaller" leaves you're talking about (I think) are really leaflets and are part of the larger leaf behind them, The leaf starts at the trunk. This sounds confusing, but what you will wind up with is a gangly looking tree that will just look strange. The compound leaves are one of the reasons that wisteria is only tolerated as bonsai for its blossoms. Good luck
 

Eric Group

Masterpiece
Messages
4,554
Reaction score
4,854
Location
Columbia, SC
the problem is with its compound leaves and a small trunk. Compound leaves are single leaves made up of smaller leaves. Wisteria has compound leaves, for a comparison. This species does to. Compound leaves do NOT reduce much, if at all.

The "smaller" leaves you're talking about (I think) are really leaflets and are part of the larger leaf behind them, The leaf starts at the trunk. This sounds confusing, but what you will wind up with is a gangly looking tree that will just look strange. The compound leaves are one of the reasons that wisteria is only tolerated as bonsai for its blossoms. Good luck
Exactly... Mimosa is another example of a compound leaf... Don't see many Bonsai from them either.
 

rockm

Spuds Moyogi
Messages
14,182
Reaction score
22,184
Location
Fairfax Va.
USDA Zone
7
However, because they are compound leaves, thus small leaves on one stalk, you can actually create the illusion of smaller leaves. Think about it. Jeremy Norbury has an example here. http://www.bonsainut.com/index.php?...f-my-deciduous-trees-today.19210/#post-261609
If you're talking about the ash tree, size makes all the difference with this technique. It's far easier to disguise lopped off leaves and the abrupt profile line cutting them leaves behind on a large to very large tree. The smaller the trunk and overall bulk of a tree, the less room for error and work arounds.
 

BrianBay9

Masterpiece
Messages
2,754
Reaction score
5,380
Location
Fresno, CA
USDA Zone
9
Brazilian raintree and Texas ebony are examples of trees with compound leaves commonly used in bonsai. Their leaflets are very small, so easier to fit with the smaller trunk.
 

evmibo

Shohin
Messages
474
Reaction score
134
Location
Fort Myers, FL
USDA Zone
10a
Kentucky Yellowood! I have one of these started from seed, nothing much but glad I finally got an ID. These are actually somewhat common on the east coast, and I see them occasionally here on the west coast of Florida, I'm surprised they're native to Kentucky. These have nice flowers (mine hasn't flowered yet), and the leafs turn to a bright yellow in fall/winter. I don't expect much from mine given the compound leaf structure, but we'll see - if the leafs can reduce some (which it seems they can) it could turn out decent. I just gave mine a funky wire job 2 days ago. I would really like to see yours with some wire and more movement, the branches are really flexible.

edit: seems like rockm has more experience with these. If the leafs don't reduce much that's fine. These do have great flowers though.
 
Last edited:

rockm

Spuds Moyogi
Messages
14,182
Reaction score
22,184
Location
Fairfax Va.
USDA Zone
7
If you're talking about the ash tree, size makes all the difference with this technique. It's far easier to disguise lopped off leaves and the abrupt profile line cutting them leaves behind on a large to very large tree. The smaller the trunk and overall bulk of a tree, the less room for error and work arounds.
 

Potawatomi13

Imperial Masterpiece
Messages
6,168
Reaction score
4,403
Location
Eugene, OR
USDA Zone
8
Don't worry about the negative comments. Several other compound leaved trees used for bonsai have been mentioned here so take heart. I like cascades so wonder why you made it upright instead since this is how it was growing? If the leaves don't reduce very well consider growing it into a larger tree. It can still be a beauty when it's "finished".;)
 

M. Frary

Bonsai Godzilla
Messages
14,307
Reaction score
22,116
Location
Mio Michigan
USDA Zone
4
Don't worry about the negative comments. Several other compound leaved trees used for bonsai have been mentioned here so take heart.

These aren't negative comments at all. They are meant to be helpful. The trees that have compound leaves that are used for bonsai are still very tough trees to get to look right. Also they have small leaves and short petioles. This has none of those qualities.
 

evmibo

Shohin
Messages
474
Reaction score
134
Location
Fort Myers, FL
USDA Zone
10a
Got a little crazy with this one in the past 6 months or so. It's starting to break buds after its repot. I am hoping to get some smaller leafs this year (we will see), if not no biggie, I'm having fun looking at it.

IMG_1698.JPG
 
Top Bottom