Need your advice

[Nick121]

Hello,

New to bonsai and in need of your expert opinion. I've always been a fan of bonsai but life gets in the way and my interest about it seems to fall on the wayside. Anyway this season, I've decided that this is the time to make that interest a reality.

Been reading and watching youtube anything Bonsai. I've been collecting seedlings, saplings and even seeds for next year. While collecting specimens, I come across this...

I dont know what it is, I'm not even sure if it is a tree or a shrub. What attracts me to it is the cut of the trunk. I'm pretty sure this specimen have gone through multiple cuts (from land clearing?). It looks old and gnarly but it does appeal to me.

Side view



My goal at the moment is to let this plant grow and for it to develop healthy fibrous root system. This plant have hardly any feeder root when i dug it up, it seems to rely mainly from the thicker roots. Should I remove the growth at bottom side and the ones in the middle or let it grow? I'm 50/50 whether to remove it or let it grow in reference to future styling.

Thank you for any suggestioins

 

[Kullas]

To me it looks like Privet

 

[Nick121]

To me it looks like Privet

Thank you for the identification. Well at least we know now that its a shrub, it would be a nice practice specimen. I dont have to worry much if I mess it up.

 

[Kullas]

It will grow like a weed so keep your clippers sharp. I have 3.

 

[Nick121]

lol yeah I was just researching about Privet. It seems, it meant to be found to get me going and remove my doubt that this is something I want to do. I would say this Privet is the turning point of my bonsai interest.

 

[Kullas]

It is a hearty plant and kinda hard to kill it will bost the confidence level. But remember it's just a confidence builder and don't treat say a Japanese maple or an azalea like you would a Privet.
For people to be able to help you better its good to know what part of the globe you are from. Ya can do that by filling out your bio info. Who knows you may have some neighbors willing to help.

 

[sorce]

Welcome to Crazy!

Seems a soon MUST that foliage be removed from the top, where it will quicker ruin your design, so if you cut off the other, you'll be in a pickle.

Even with something that "won't die" like a privet, if this is in fact a privet.

Chances are, there are some right individual connections between root and foliage, so removing any lone growth may kill that root, then your design is compromised.

Best to have a study of how old growth ruined design, reverse taper and such, and remove some of those bunched top shoots before they further "ugly". The time can be found in the study. If there isn't enough to study on this specimen, any other should do.

Where are you?
Why does it feel like Florida?

Sorce

 

[Nick121]

It is a hearty plant and kinda hard to kill it will bost the confidence level. But remember it's just a confidence builder and don't treat say a Japanese maple or an azalea like you would a Privet.
For people to be able to help you better its good to know what part of the globe you are from. Ya can do that by filling out your bio info. Who knows you may have some neighbors willing to help.

Definitely. Yeah been collecting oaks, sycamore, sweet gum and yeah japanese maple. My J. maple is putting out some seeds atm.'ll try to germinate some of them for next year.

 

[Kullas]

Definitely. Yeah been collecting oaks, sycamore, sweet gum and yeah japanese maple. My J. maple is putting out some seeds atm.'ll try to germinate some of them for next year.

Sounds like you are off to a good start. I look forward to seeing your progress

 

[Nick121]

Appreciate the help

Welcome to Crazy!

Seems a soon MUST that foliage be removed from the top, where it will quicker ruin your design, so if you cut off the other, you'll be in a pickle.

Even with something that "won't die" like a privet, if this is in fact a privet.

Chances are, there are some right individual connections between root and foliage, so removing any lone growth may kill that root, then your design is compromised.

Best to have a study of how old growth ruined design, reverse taper and such, and remove some of those bunched top shoots before they further "ugly". The time can be found in the study. If there isn't enough to study on this specimen, any other should do.

Where are you?
Why does it feel like Florida?

Sorce

Thank you for the welcome

I used to live in Florida for more than 20 years but recently moved to the midwest, tornado alley.

Appreciate the help

 

[Potawatomi13]

Personal first guess was Privet. However since is all new growth and based on leaf shape believe could be Boxwood.

 

[Crazy Diamond]

To me it looks like Privet

Chinese privet yes

 

[Nick121]

Personal first guess was Privet. However since is all new growth and based on leaf shape believe could be Boxwood.

Dont know if its boxwood. I have a landscape boxwood at home the leaves are smaller and the internodes are shorter. This one, the leaves are bigger with longer internodes. But I could be wrong, for all i know it could be a different variety of boxwood.

Thanks for the help

 

[Nick121]

Chinese privet yes

Thank you for the ID