American Ash seedlings in training...

[GuyDudeman]

We have a HUGE American Ash tree in our front yard, and it is constantly dropping seeds, which volunteer themselves over the whole neighborhood (but mostly in our yard) all year long. I've taken a few of these volunteers and kept them alive in this pot (along with, apparently, some Basil?)... Anyway, I'm letting them grow in here for a bit while I figure out what to do with them. Any ideas?

I started one on a horizontal path, and the others I'm just not sure what to do with them yet.

 

[pandacular]

if the goal is rapid growth, successive up-pots is the method that has proven successful in the nursery industry. you could certainly set some movement where they're at today, but it could also likely wait another year.

Are ash borers a problem in your area? If so, I would read up on identifying the signs of them, both for your trees in pots and in your neighborhoods. Early detection can save huge swaths of trees; if you see a struggling ash, check for borers and report them to the municipality or forestry service!

 

[thatdirtykid]

Ash borers are awful. We have lost so many trees in my area. My old house I had 5 70+ year old ash trees, voulenteers sprouted in every crack, unkept neighbors gutters, and anywhere else they could settle . Cost me a good chunk of change to keep them treated. My arborist still suggested to plant replacements to begin taking their place. I took his advice and planted some linden saplings.

To keep on topic, I cannot speak much of Ash as bonsai, but I am curious myself. How do the leaves reduce? All the saplings and younger trees around seem to keep large leaves regardless of health/age. I have a few at the current home I am considering messing with.

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

I quit using (European?) Ash because they never reduced and only looked good in winter silhouette.
And I'm not a fan of winter silhouettes.