Invasive learner trash tree; I know better, now.

[Desert O'Piñon]

I'm gonna get hate for this one, but it's fast-growing and easy to learn on. Plus, I probably can't kill it.

This has been ground grown for two years. (It popped up as a seedling under a stack of nursery pots, so the trunk movement was already established) You can see how much the internodes have shortened (from two internodes in three knuckles to 4 or 5 in two knuckles) from the first to the second year. I was very surprised. Also surprised at how quickly the bark started developing texture. While this will never be any grandiose specimen, I believe it can teach me a lot. Also, no other trees of this species will ever again be allowed to survive in my yard.

 

[Cadillactaste]

Much brain fog now from my meds. But ... am I missing the species mentioned above?

I need to get offline. The concentration is giving me a migraine. But I've read through your post...a couple times. I can't see the species listed. Or I truly hit the daft part from all the meds I'm taking while down sick.

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

Much brain fog now from my meds. But ... am I missing the species mentioned above?

I need to get offline. The concentration is giving me a migraine. But I've read through your post...a couple times. I can't see the species listed. Or I truly hit the daft part from all the meds I'm taking while down sick.

It's not you, it's me. LOL
I didn't state the species. Ailanthus altissima; It is the hated, vilified, reviled and cursed (and horribly named) "Tree of Heaven," as far as I can tell. Originally, I thought it was a species of Sumac, but I was able to rule those out.

 

[Cadillactaste]

Glad you rules out Sumac. The lake here on work day. Guys wear long sleeves to tackle the invasive species and remove it in areas that ones could come in contact with it. Like...for mowing. You don't want to rub up against it without a shirt on.

Tree of Heaven. I've heard of it. But...my brain is foggy there. I can't recall anything about it.

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

It is beyond a pest tree. It flowers and seeds profusely. It grows anywhere (sidewalk cracks, parking lot islands on top of weedcloth, even in sides of buildings where the seeds get blown in and take root), has an extensive aggressive root system that suckers like crazy for years after you remove the tree, and tolerates a very wide range of heat/cold, light, and moisture conditions. It's kind of like the Hun army or the Roman Empire at its strongest era.
But it's growing habits aren't suited well for bonsai. Fairly large compound leaves with very long internodes. But I'm sure it will tolerate very aggressive root work.

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

If I put this in a pond basket, will it develop nebari? I don't think it is possible, but any suggestions for improving ramification?

 

[shohin_branches]

I have a neighbor that has variegated ones coming up in her lawn and I want to try and snag one

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

I have a neighbor that has variegated ones coming up in her lawn and I want to try and snag one

If you grow it out in the ground, I recommend some type of containment. I'm still pulling out suckers from where I dug it from its volunteer location in my flowerbed two years ago, before it really had a chance to get established.

 

[NMbonsai]

That was going to be my guess as to species. You are totally accurate on your description except you forgot to mention that the female flowers (it is dioecious) smell like dirty feet! We have them all over town, almost as ubiquitous as the Siberian elms. At least those make great beginner trees, hard to kill and free for the digging.
I have never seen anyone attempting to bonsai the alianthus. I'm sure you won't be able to kill it (shy of napalm), but I don't know if the leaves will reduce. I read somewhere, or possibly heard on a podcast, that compound leaves will not reduce using the usual bonsai techniques. However I have seen several Brazilian rain trees with reduced leaves.
This will definitely be an interesting project to investigate this species. Keep us posted, you may start a trend!

 

[Michael P]

OK, just don't let it reproduce! Something I've wondered about big compound leaves, could you cut them back to just one or two pairs of leaflets to improve the appearance and scale? It would be like a partial defoliation.

 

[NashsMan]

Ailanthus is THE legendary "Tree That Grows in Brooklyn" (famous book and movie). That's because it can grow in cracks in the sidewalk or up through an asphalt paved area. They are a pestilence in any civilized area.

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

You are totally accurate on your description except you forgot to mention that the female flowers (it is dioecious) smell like dirty feet!

I don't know if this one is male or female, but even pruning produces a rank, sharp musky scent, which would be described at best as unpleasant

Keep us posted, you may start a trend!

Oh, wow! That would be terrible! I hope not!
The last thing I want is to be despised by real bonsai people for starting something so dastardly.

 

[NMbonsai]

Maybe it will send runners out of the bottom of the pot and attack your other trees!

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

Something I've wondered about big compound leaves, could you cut them back to just one or two pairs of leaflets to improve the appearance and scale? It would be like a partial defoliation.

That's a good question. I may try it this year, depending on its recovery after it goes into a pond basket.

 

[pandacular]

Bomb trunk, love the idea of digging invasives. Worst case scenario, one less invasive! Were you inspired by @DogwoodApprentice ‘s call to action?