American Sycamore #1

[Cmd5235]

Starting a specific thread to document this tree. I've posted it in other combination posts- please ignore. This tree has survived two years post collection, so I feel comfortable with logging ongoing styling. This thread will serve as an ongoing journal, as well as for input.

I know that American sycamore make very poor bonsai, due to leaf size and large internodes. That being said, I accidentally collected this tree, thinking it was another species. I'm going to try to grow this out for winter display only. The overall height right now is approximately 6 feet.

 

[Cmd5235]

This spring, I will wire the branches, cut them back aggressively, and pot in an Anderson flat.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

You understand the issues with a Sycamore. I would not "waste" an Anderson flat on it, but if you have a spare flat, good luck with your experiment.

 

[Cmd5235]

You understand the issues with a Sycamore. I would not "waste" an Anderson flat on it, but if you have a spare flat, good luck with your experiment.

I do completely. I have a bunch of flats, and I'd like it to be a little more portable. Given the dinner plate size of leaves and the long internodes, this is just a "for fun" tree, hardy at that, that can withstand some drastic assaults

 

[Cmd5235]

Update:

 

[Gabler]

How tall are you ultimately planning to grow that tree?

 

[Cmd5235]

How tall are you ultimately planning to grow that tree?

Probably 6 foot. It’s almost there now. And it’s more for the eventual bark and branching/silhouette, given the leaf size. I’ll never get the leaves in proportion

 

[Cmd5235]

 

[Michael P]

The white and gray bark of a sycamore is beautiful against the winter sky. Good luck!

 

[Colorado]

Will be interesting to see how small you can get the leaves with refinement techniques when the time comes.

 

[Gabler]

Probably 6 foot. It’s almost there now. And it’s more for the eventual bark and branching/silhouette, given the leaf size. I’ll never get the leaves in proportion

Mine grew eight feet just last year, after I dug it up from the field and chopped off all the feeder roots. These trees are bulletproof, but their leaves are HUGE.

 

[Cmd5235]

It’ll need a new pot in the spring, but I like the bark at this point