Bonsai Nut
Nuttier than your average Nut
I have seen many threads about peoples' favorite bonsai species, but never a thread for beginners about what species to avoid. I'm not talking about species like japanese white pine, which are difficult to care for but very rewarding as bonsai in the long run. I'm talking about species that are almost impossible to make decent bonsai out of, regardless of your skill level, and regardless of the time invested. Of course, I say "almost impossible" because I believe it is possible to make a bonsai out of any tree. However this list would be a "recommended avoidance" list.
For example, consider the arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis). A very common garden center and landscape shrub that would appear to be a great candidate for bonsai. However because of its growth habit, it is almost impossible to maintain a clean design - the best you can hope for is a shaggy tree that people will look at and say "wow - I've never seen anyone make a bonsai out of an arborvitae before". And yet people continue to sell LOADS of arborvitaes as starter plants because of how easy they are to propogate and how fast they grow. However in my years of going to shows, I have NEVER seen an arborvitae at a show, or for that matter, at an advanced level workshop.
For example, consider the arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis). A very common garden center and landscape shrub that would appear to be a great candidate for bonsai. However because of its growth habit, it is almost impossible to maintain a clean design - the best you can hope for is a shaggy tree that people will look at and say "wow - I've never seen anyone make a bonsai out of an arborvitae before". And yet people continue to sell LOADS of arborvitaes as starter plants because of how easy they are to propogate and how fast they grow. However in my years of going to shows, I have NEVER seen an arborvitae at a show, or for that matter, at an advanced level workshop.