Forbes
Seedling
Hey all, I'm fairly new to bonsai... I've only had my first tree since about March of this year. I'm already addicted and my house and backyard is quickly turning into a home (and testing grounds) for several trees. I live in Southwestern Pennsylvania (south of Pittsburgh). I have a couple of trees indoors, and a couple outdoors that i'm weening from full shade to partial sun, and trying to learn as i go, with the help of some local bonsai enthusiasts and forums like this one.
The Sycamore tree has been one of my favorite trees all of my life. Here where I live, they are very prevelant, and can be found near about any type of water. I wanted to know if anyone has ever tried growing them as a bonsai before? I've looked and found very little on this. Some have told me I will have a hard time with leaf reduction, but I have read that some trees will cope with this if you do a comeplete defoliation once every other year or so. Anyone have any experience with that? I've also heard that if you take a tree growin in the ground, make a clean cut on it, seal it, and let it grow, it will for new shoots. If this is repeated you can form a newly, shorter tapered tree. My question with this is, if you are cutting the complete trunk, is it best to leave one branch, or can i make a complete cut say 8" up the trunk below the first existing branch? I have quite a few Sycamores on my property with good clean 2"-4" diamater trunks that would be great if i could reduce the rest of the tree in size. Your thoughts or suggestions?
The Sycamore tree has been one of my favorite trees all of my life. Here where I live, they are very prevelant, and can be found near about any type of water. I wanted to know if anyone has ever tried growing them as a bonsai before? I've looked and found very little on this. Some have told me I will have a hard time with leaf reduction, but I have read that some trees will cope with this if you do a comeplete defoliation once every other year or so. Anyone have any experience with that? I've also heard that if you take a tree growin in the ground, make a clean cut on it, seal it, and let it grow, it will for new shoots. If this is repeated you can form a newly, shorter tapered tree. My question with this is, if you are cutting the complete trunk, is it best to leave one branch, or can i make a complete cut say 8" up the trunk below the first existing branch? I have quite a few Sycamores on my property with good clean 2"-4" diamater trunks that would be great if i could reduce the rest of the tree in size. Your thoughts or suggestions?