Good species for smaller forests?

RJG2

RJG2

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Suggestions on species for smaller forests, with the gotcha that they need to be hardy to zone 5, preferably 4?

I have a shallow 11ish" dark green oval that I'm looking to fill.

Considering amur maple (would order seedlings), maybe privet (I have a hedge at my disposal). Trying to think of something hardy enough with small enough leaves. I feel like beech leaves might be a bit large.
 
I tried to get a pic up for you, but no luck. I made a small forest last year ( 3/30/20) using dwarf Arctic Willow, Salix polaris. I took cuttings from one I have and grew them for about five years in individual pots. Makes a very cool haunted forest and the fall color is brilliant yellow.
 
Bnana said:
I would go for (Japanese) larch.
Click to expand...

I've thought about larch, but think they might look better on a slab or in an unglazed pot.
 
Last edited:
RKatzin said:
I tried to get a pic up for you, but no luck. I made a small forest last year ( 3/30/20) using dwarf Arctic Willow, Salix polaris. I took cuttings from one I have and grew them for about five years in individual pots. Makes a very cool haunted forest and the fall color is brilliant yellow.
Click to expand...
Interesting. I have a bundle of 5 Salix integra ‘Pendula' coming this spring, maybe I should have gotten 3 bundles.

I bet I could add to my order even if it's something else.
 
Cadillactaste said:
I have one in my landscape...and...apparently seeds from a friend who seen one and felt it would be good bonsai. Sent me some.
Click to expand...
Hehe!! I adore these! I actually have 50 seeds on the way to my location, as well!!

We’ll have to stay “in each other’s loops”

🤓
 
RJG2 said:
Interesting. I have a bundle of 5 Salix integra ‘Pendula' coming this spring, maybe I should have gotten 3 bundles.

I bet I could add to my order even if it's something else.
Click to expand...
Before you buy more, wait to see how easy they are to take cuttings. Most Salix will reproduce very easily.
I have Salix purpura pendular, a weeping form of Salix purpura nana, but they grow pretty tall before they begin the weeping habit. A good lawn ornament, but I haven't been able to create a bonsai version.
 
Bill Valvanis offers saplings every year. All would be superior for bonsai. Boxwood would be superior to Privet. You will find some smaller-leaf Elm in your local vacant lots in lowlands. You will probably need a more organic, less rocky media to not suffer from drought in that low pot for any species.
 
Forsoothe! said:
Bill Valvanis offers saplings every year. All would be superior for bonsai. Boxwood would be superior to Privet. You will find some smaller-leaf Elm in your local vacant lots in lowlands. You will probably need a more organic, less rocky media to not suffer from drought in that low pot for any species.
Click to expand...
I've definitely been considering something from him. Wish I had been into Bonsai in college, went to RIT...
 
RJG2 said:
I've thought about larch, but think they might look better on a slab or in an unglazed pot.
Click to expand...
I don't know. They are conifers, sure...but they are deciduous. The glaze on that pot looks matte enough I think it would go well with the trees in leaf. The hints of yellow in the green made me immediately think "larch"...I think a larch forest in fall color could look great in that pot.

My $0.02...
 
Siberian Elm all day.

However....I think that pot is better suited to a single tree, and your Forest in a training basket for a while.

Sorce
 
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