Random stuff my brother digs up

[Carol 83]

For the last few years, my brother (trying to be nice, I guess) has been digging up and gifting me with random junk from his yard. I wasn't really interested in the various weeds and junk stuff he dug up and it all died anyway. Yesterday's contribution was this sweet gum from his yard. I read a bit in threads here and naturally this is not the time to dig them. I guess I'll try and get it into a nursery container and some soil when I get home, just to say I tried. I have seen some nice examples as bonsai, I just wish he would have asked #1 did I want it, and #2 if so, when he should dig it up. Any tips for trying to keep it alive are appreciated.

 

[Shibui]

Defoliate now to conserve moisture then pot up and cross fingers.
Someone here told me that your liquidamber is not easy to transplant at the best of times so it will be interesting to see if this one takes.

 

[Forsoothe!]

I've never been wrong before, but that doesn't look like a Sweetgum to me. It looks like Field Maple, excellent bonsai. If you can keep the pot in a place where the sun shines on the pot, but not the foliage until the last hour (or for the first hour) of the day, and you keep it moist for the foreseeable future, and increase sun exposure by 50% every few days thereafter, I guarantee success, or your money back!

 

[Carol 83]

I've never been wrong before, but that doesn't look like a Sweetgum to me. It looks like Field Maple, excellent bonsai. If you can keep the pot in a place where the sun shines on the pot, but not the foliage until the last hour (or for the first hour) of the day, and you keep it moist for the foreseeable future, and increase sun exposure by 50% every few days thereafter, I guarantee success, or your money back!

Certainly possible, he said it was a sweetgum, but he also has dug up weeds to give me.

 

[Carol 83]

I took a look when I got home, nothing much for roots, so not much hope. The trunk does have a bit of a curvy thing going on.

 

[penumbra]

Definitely not a sweet gum.

 

[Carol 83]

Definitely not a sweet gum.

Doesn't surprise me at all, he knows nothing about plants whatsoever. So you think maple also?

 

[Shibui]

Check the bud arrangement. Liquidamber have alternate growth pattern. All Acer have opposite buds. At this stage I'm still happy with the liquidamber ID.

 

[eryk2kartman]

I planted number of Liquidamber seeds, they all grow for the first year, but when transplanting them next spring to individual pots, the death rate is nearly 90 %.
Best of Luck whatever it is, fingers crossed

 

[leatherback]

definately not field maple

Check the bud arrangement. Liquidamber have alternate growth pattern. All Acer have opposite buds. At this stage I'm still happy with the liquidamber

Agreed

 

[Woocash]

definately not field maple

+1

 

[Carol 83]

Here are a few pictures of the leaves. It's perked up a little.

 

[Mayank]

For the last few years, my brother (trying to be nice, I guess) has been digging up and gifting me with random junk from his yard. I wasn't really interested in the various weeds and junk stuff he dug up and it all died anyway. Yesterday's contribution was this sweet gum from his yard. I read a bit in threads here and naturally this is not the time to dig them. I guess I'll try and get it into a nursery container and some soil when I get home, just to say I tried. I have seen some nice examples as bonsai, I just wish he would have asked #1 did I want it, and #2 if so, when he should dig it up. Any tips for trying to keep it alive are appreciated. View attachment 318916

That's like everyone that knows I listen to vinyl brings me old boxes of junk records from "cleaning out my dad's place after he passed" and "oh, look I found these in my basement and I know you'll love them" etc etc. SO now we have like thousands of old records in our basement that I know I'll probably not look through....
I prefer to buy brand new vinyl and they do make some super high quality pressings nowadays...

 

[Forsoothe!]

Well, based upon alternate buds, not a Maple. I'm pleased to tell you that you have discovered a new genus and I'm suggesting you name it Caroloops Illinii incorporating the name of the discoverer and some characteristic of the plant. The Nobel committee will probably at your door tomorrow!

 

[HorseloverFat]

Your brother’s heart is pure!

Free plants!!

 

[Carol 83]

Your brother’s heart is pure!

Free plants!!

I just wish he had more discriminating taste in what he digs up.

 

[Pitoon]

For sure that's not a sweet gum. I would bet money that it's a sycamore.....but then again I don't bet.

 

[Forsoothe!]

For sure that's not a sweet gum. I would bet money that it's a sycamore.....but then again I don't bet.

There are species that sometimes have immature bud arrangements that are different from mature arrangement, but I can't find a reference to that occurring in Field Maple. There is a European Sycamore that has a similar leaf shape, too. Unfortunately, Carol83 has already admitted that she has a checkered history of husbanding her brother's gifts, so we only have an off chance of seeing anything but a dead stick next year...

 

[Carol 83]

There are species that sometimes have immature bud arrangements that are different from mature arrangement, but I can't find a reference to that occurring in Field Maple. There is a European Sycamore that has a similar leaf shape, too. Unfortunately, Carol83 has already admitted that she has a checkered history of husbanding her brother's gifts, so we only have an off chance of seeing anything but a dead stick next year...

Hey now, it's not all on me. He doesn't do a very good job at collecting, leaving virtually no roots.

 

[leatherback]

Field Maple

Acer campestre has MUCH smaller leaves, different branches and the leaves are organized differently around the trunk. You can stop thinking it is A campestre. In fact, I would say, just stop thinking it is maple.