Maple Seedlings

[Joedes3]

I have a bunch of maple seedlings growing everwhere. ( I don't know what kind, they just grow naturally around here) They are 2 inches to 2 feet. I was wondering, could I plant a group of these in a training box and let them grow as a forest? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! Joe

 

[treebeard55]

Depends most on the species of maple; some adapt well to bonsai training, others just don't. Can you give us the species?

 

[Joedes3]

I wish I could. They grow everywhere. I live in the city, just out side of Boston. They line the streets etc.

 

[bonsaiTOM]

How large do the leaves get? Got pics?

I hope they are Amur maple. They make nice forests.

 

[Vance Wood]

If they line the streets they are probably Norway or Silver Maple, neither of which adapt well to bonsai culture. One of the sad rules of bonsai I have learned over the years is this: If the tree is hard to cultivate and hard to find it is probably good for bonsai. If the tree grows every where and can be considered a weed by some it is probably not good for bonsai.

 

[Joedes3]

No pictures but the leaves get to be 4 to 5 inches across.

 

[Vance Wood]

No pictures but the leaves get to be 4 to 5 inches across.

Probably Norway Maple, a common street tree. It has large leaves and makes an impossible bonsai unless very large.

 

[Joedes3]

What would happen if I put 11 or so in a training box? Would it look totally unkept?

 

[Vance Wood]

What would happen if I put 11 or so in a training box? Would it look totally unkept?

Why would you want to do that? The reason for an action is dependant upon the desired outcome.

 

[Joedes3]

You're correct.

 

[Vance Wood]

You're correct.

I wasn't being sarcastic or flippant, I was trying to discover your purpose for doing this.

 

[Joedes3]

I did'nt take it that way. Emails, posts on the forum, etc. are so one dimensional. Constructive comments are welcome. As someone who is still learning, I welcome all comments.

I was just trying to figure out a way of using something that grows so rampantly around here.

Thanks

Joe DeSisto

 

[rockm]

Just because its easily available, doesn't mean its worth the trouble...

You would make more progress if you identified the species you're working with. A lot depends on that going forward.

You also might want to provide some basic info on where you live--like state and/or city. That also has a big impact on any advice given here

 

[Joedes3]

No problem. I added my location.