Can anyone guess what kind of tree this is

[crab apple]

Who knows what kind of tree this is? I'm not really calling it a bonsai but it's the first tree I dug up when I started digging up trees about 5 years ago. At the time I had miss identified it. The back has a hollow at the top that in the begining I wanted as a feature but now I like the back as a front. Who knows I might turn it back around but for now Im liking the hollow not to show. I repotted it this year and had this pot laying around that it fit into. The pot was for a bald cypress but for now this tree gets to wear it. I don't think it will ever be a proper Bonsai and don't realy think I can regrow any branches on the trunk so I feel I'm ok with what I got.

 

[Adamski77]

looks like gardenia to me...

 

[milehigh_7]

I'll guess Simpson's Stopper (Myrcianthes fragrans). Fantastic bonsai species. One that has been on my bucket list for years. Just a guess however, I could be wrong (and probably am).

 

[crab apple]

Nope on both. It's a very common tree for my area.

 

[milehigh_7]

I was comparing them to these leaves. Pretty close... I still want one!

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Ilex of some sort? Maybe Yaupon...?

 

[crab apple]

Not a Yaupon. I do have a few of those but they have much smaller leaves.

 

[KateM]

Dahoon?

 

[crab apple]

Dahoon?

No, I had to look that one up. But it's not a Ilex or Holly

 

[Sno]

Maybe Arbutus unedo , strawberry tree or since you are in America could be A menziesii , although the leaf looks more like A unedo .

 

[crab apple]

I accualy do have a strawberry bush but it's not for bonsai. It's a native plant here that deer eat. While this tree is native to my area it's neither of those.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Pyracantha. Fun trees to work with. Nice trunk.

 

[crab apple]

Thanks to everyone who paticipated. The tree is a Swamp Titi. A local wetland plant that dominates the swamps around here. There are thousands of them everywhere. Some grow a huge buttress like a bald cypress. They love water so I dont have to worry about over watering them.

 

[BrianBay9]

I do like the hollow. I would definitely use that as a feature.

 

[NMbonsai]

I agree with @BrianBay9 . The side with the hollow is more dramatic and makes a better front. I have never heard of this species. Do you know the Latin name?

 

[KateM]

I agree with @BrianBay9 . The side with the hollow is more dramatic and makes a better front. I have never heard of this species. Do you know the Latin name?

Cyrilla racemiflora

 

[NMbonsai]

Thanks @KateM. Never heard of this one either. I will check it out!