re: Looking for a bonsai tree in BR

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I thought a small tree could be topped and transplanted. I had no idea they would be that old...

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This is the way nearly all bonsai are made. Let the tree grow until the trunk is the diameter you want, chop it at an angle and then let it back bud. Let the buds grow and train one into the new trunk. Sometimes they're chopped again. The scars from the chop heal over very slowly. This is really the only way to get taper in the trunk. Otherwise, you'll just have a straight pole.

Evergreens are actually done the same way, except they're chopped just above a low branch. The low branch is then trained upright into the new trunk. You can do this with deciduous trees as well, but it restricts where you can chop the tree.

And whoever asked about Juniper - many of the trees sold in box stores are made from juniper. They make good bonsai. But many, many types of trees are can can be used. The best trees to use have naturally smaller leaves, short internodes (spaces between branches), and fine twigs. Maples, beeches, boxwoods, oaks, apples, pines, junipers, cypress, elms, and ficus are all commonly used.

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This is the way nearly all bonsai are made. Let the tree grow until the trunk is the diameter you want, chop it at an angle and then let it back bud. Let the buds grow and train one into the new trunk. Sometimes they're chopped again. The scars from the chop heal over very slowly. This is really the only way to get taper in the trunk. Otherwise, you'll just have a straight pole.

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Ok. I thought they were started from seedlings. I understand now how the trucks can get so big.

In Japan, there are a lot of rocky mountains where trees are naturally dwarfed due to lack of nutrients and unfavorable growing conditions. People dig them out and put them in pots.

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That tree would cost you over $20,0000. Maybe $50,000.

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I have a swamp behind the house. Might need to go check to see if there are any suitable tree back there...

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I have a swamp behind the house. Might need to go check to see if there are any suitable tree back there...

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I've considered it. But, the only real money is in trees that are "finished" and they can take many years to complete.

Bonsai is a very interesting and very complex hobby. There are a lot dedicated artists out there, but man is it sloooooooow. I actually have 6 japanese zelkova trees planted in my back yard that are finally ready to chop this year. I planted them 7 years ago.

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I wouldn't put a dollar value on it. Priceless.

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It's a nice one for sure.

Cut the trunk first. It's generally best to leave them in the ground as long as possible through the whole process. Ideally, just the "finishing" - growing and training small branches would be done in the pot.


It's a cool hobby. You should look into it if you're interested. There used to be several forums dedicated to it, but I haven't visited them in a long time so I don't know if they're still active.

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Dig up
Put in pot
Next year smaller pot
Keep transplanting to smaller pot

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Not really. It can be done many ways. But, generally the main trunk is grown either in the ground, or in a large pot. Then the roots are cut down to fit in a small pot.

Now is the time if you want to collect any wild trees.

Yeah, with bald, or pond cypress, people often sit the whole pot in a tub of water or kiddie pool if they don't want to or can't water them for a while.