Suggestions Zone 4b-5a Wisconsin

[jwell]

Hello. I’m looking for suggestions on what plants I could start for bonsai in central wisconsin zone 4b - 5a. Currently I have a hybrid willow. After learning about branch dieback and how willows are not ideal for bonsai, I’m looking to start something else as well. Ideally I’d like something that is somewhat fast growing, and unique. I am also unsure on how different species deal with being indoors/outdoors during the winter. I’m quite a beginner so any suggestions are helpful.

 

[JackHammer]

Tropicals do well in Wisconsin, at least when they are inside.
Up north bonsai podcast might have some ideas for you.

 

[bonsailevel:master]

You may want to consider native species for your area. I live in southern Indiana and have hornbeams, sweet gums and red maples. If your local trees thrive in your climate they will be good candidates for bonsai.

 

[Carol 83]

@HorseloverFat should be a big help for suggestions.

 

[Dogestoevsky]

Hello fellow Wisconsinite
Join a local club if you can! Members will give you the best advice on what to grow and what survives in your area. I’m working on some tamarack, juniper, boxwood, musclewood, and a handful of succulents that live indoors over the winter. There are many options. The best advice I received when starting out was to choose native plants that are winter hardy in my zone. Experiment while you find some local support!
Cheers

 

[HorseloverFat]

Greetings, fellow "icicle person"!

Welcome to the TinyForest! If you listen, you can hear the resident Woody Dwarves(Pa-Is) preparing the welcome feast! They are glad you have arrived on time.

I'm Leo, pleasure to make your acquaintance.

Native Species!!! Totally!!

There are A LOT of more "strange and difficult" local species I play with..(I consider Salix in this category.. they CAN be tamed, but need a different "approach")

But for beginners, I will keep my recommendations more to the "very" suitable for bonsai..

Aaaaaand although I speak Latin, I will use common names to our area, for your ease.

Siberian Elm....
Can't really get a more "suitable" cold-hardy elm that grows in NA.. (without decent protection, Zelkovas die, here, by me).

Amur Maple or ANY "Tatarican"..
Absolutely my favorite maple to work with, and will "behave" for bonsai ALMOST regardless of specific Specimen.

Native Prunus (Cherry) - Tough as nails, and WILL reduce.

ANY local Spruce!!

Scotts Pine!!!

Thuja.... Bulletproof, forgiving, and swell for beginners and the experienced

Holly!!! (Cold) - probably Ilex Verticillata.

Elaeagnus!!! - (autumn olive, Russian olive around here)
WONDERFUL species, and invasive. The DNR wants you to dig them.

Rust resistant Crab Apple!!! (Do the research) ....

If you have a tropical room...

Ficus and Pomegranate are the "easiest going" and personally, "best" trees for these conditions up here... Because mine still go outside in the summer.



There is many more, just thought I'd throw a few avenues in your direction.

 

[HorseloverFat]

(oh yeah)

LARCH!!!

 

[dbonsaiw]

Could he add mugo pine, hemlock, hackberry, juniper and/or hornbeam?

 

[Tieball]

American Elms will work well in your climate. Fast growing. Outdoors all year.

 

[HorseloverFat]

Could he add mugo pine, hemlock, hackberry, juniper and/or hornbeam?

Yes, yes, depends on the celtis ("Sugarberry", for sure yes, probably others), Nana's need protection HERE (so gauge accordingly, even in my microclimate, OP is probably a hair colder than I), and not THAT familiar with hornbeam, but they GROW here... That doesn't mean much in containers at -25dF, though.

I am ONLY speaking to my personal EXPERIENCES growing these trees in my climate.... Because...USDA says that Chicago and myself are the same climate.
.... knowing MY climate, and observing Chicago from afar.
. I am aware we are different worlds! (I'm on the door county, Kewaunee county border, a couple blocks from the lake).

OP... If you have an unheated garage or shed... You should be able to winter zone 4/5.

What are your wintering plans?

Gotta come into fall prepared, at least around my neck of the dunes.

 

[HorseloverFat]

American Elms will work well in your climate. Fast growing. Outdoors all year.

Hell.. I just started some AE root cuttings I could send to OP...

AE's can "behave" but they have to be a nice specimen.

I've collected young'ns that actually turned out possessing fairly "poor-for-tiny-tree" traits...
Now I defoliate, or lightly prune them in the wild, and observe for a season or two.

 

[KikurageOtomo]

Ginkgo, Larch, Currant, Chokecherry, Fir, Spruce, Juniper, Pine are a few that come to mind. Many other candidates are totally viable depending on the level of winter protection you're able to give in tandem with the legwork necessary to shuffle them.

 

[HorseloverFat]

Ginkgo, Larch, Currant, Chokecherry, Fir, Spruce, Juniper, Pine are a few that come to mind. Many other candidates are totally viable depending on the level of winter protection you're able to give in tandem with the legwork necessary to shuffle them.

If OP wants to "get into" Ribes...

I'd suggest checking out some of the "work" Iv written on the subject, and understanding that currants possess an ENTIRELY different schedule and "flow"

I know that I've been talking about doing my "Ribes care/development" resource for a year or two... I will start it this spring, in earnest...

I will LINK the resource in the Tiny Tree Study Group Forum.

ALSO everyone is welcome over there...

TinyTree Study Group

NE Wisconsin Bonsai Club

www.bonsainut.com

 

[HorseloverFat]

OP, how central .. like right west of Lake Winnebago?...

As far as Eau Claire?

"This will just change what kind of trees you can hunt"

 

[HorseloverFat]

he

Careful!

Don't want to offend, if this is NOT a "he".

(As a fit, long-haired guy, it happens to me quite a bit from the back)

 

[KikurageOtomo]

If OP wants to "get into" Ribes...

I'd suggest checking out some of the "work" Iv written on the subject, and understanding that currants possess an ENTIRELY different schedule and "flow"

I know that I've been talking about doing my "Ribes care/development" resource for a year or two... I will start it this spring, in earnest...

I will LINK the resource in the Tiny Tree Study Group Forum.

ALSO everyone is welcome over there...

TinyTree Study Group

NE Wisconsin Bonsai Club

www.bonsainut.com

Excited to see your write up on the material, its nice to have one species that buds out before April rolls around here.

 

[HorseloverFat]

Excited to see your write up on the material, its nice to have one species that buds out before April rolls around here.

They are an animal all their own!

I've found that NA Lonicera also behave entirely different that most species (besides snowberry and other in it's family)

I have documented a bit of what I've learned, working young material on this thread. (Also great discussion)

5 Year Native Tree/Native Pot - Ribes Considerations.. (HorseloverFat)

5 Year Native Tree Native Pot -Ribes CONSIDERATIONS. (HorseloverFat) As I pondered this WONDERFULLY immersive and though-provoking challenge... I KNEW eventually that I would “set my sights” on a black currant “goal” For the most part, naturally occurring specimens are fairly uninteresting...

www.bonsainut.com

 

[HorseloverFat]

What about you, Kikurage?

How far are you from where I am located?

Are you SouthEast?

 

[GGB]

Yo! you can grow america's two best bonsai candidates! American larch (or any species) and englemann spruce. lucky dog

 

[KikurageOtomo]

What about you, Kikurage?

How far are you from where I am located?

Are you SouthEast?

I'm just about smack dab between Madison and Milwaukee. Been shuffling the stuff in and out of the garage a lot lately because the currants, ume and select quinces are really antsy to get going before its properly warm.