Berberis thunbergii Questions

So, in front of my house there is a Japanese Barberry that I my landlord plans on replacing with something else. I’m not too sure what the base looks like, as there is a lot of foliage and branches in the way that I’ll have to trim out of the way before I could see that. If it’s like another one I saw get cut down to the ground, it is likely more clump like. I have seen a few examples of this plant being used as bonsai that I have liked, and was wondering if anyone had any advice to give about this particular plant. For example, I know that this is not the time of year that such things are normally done, so would it kill this plant if I tried to collect it at this time of the year? Since it will probably just be cut down or dug out and thrown away if I don’t collect it, I will probably try anyway, but I was just wondering if there was anything I could do to improve my odds of success. If it’s just simply not likely to work I don’t want to go to a bunch of effort if people can tell me it’s just not going to work.

Hello Afellure:

In my experience Berberis are quite tolerant of transplanting in summer.  I once salvaged one that was discarded and dedicated on a garbage heap in the heat of August.  If you do decide to salvage this one please bear in mind that larger styles are best as the leaves do not reduce much.  I have found them to be very rewarding however rarely conforming to "standard" bonsai styles.

Best,
David B.

Thanks for your reply David! I believe I’m going to go for it this weekend. Due to your suggestion I plan on cutting it back much less than I had originally planned when I go to take it up.

Also, I found this product online which I was thinking of learning with screening to use as a bonsai training box. With this potential he work? Any reason it wouldn’t? Is there such a thing as too much drainage?


https://www.restaurantsupply.com/carlisle-rb-1014-full-size-open-bowl-rack-with-extender

Crates as a training containers - No simple answer except - use common sense...
- climate in your place
- size of container and its shape?
- what kind of substrate? Organic x anorganic and its main components.
- what type of plants? Barberry should be OK. Elm - I wouldn't use it unless can spend a day with a watering can in my hand
- human factor - water supply

Low areation could be a problem but the same applies for too much of it ( if it means there is too much or not enough water for the roots to do their job )

Digging now is not an issue.
They are however feroceous beasts. Wear VERY sturdy gloves. I got rid of mine last winter because of the thornes (And the too dense canopies).

But roots can be reduced quite well. Take a fairly small container. As we cannot see the size of plant you are talking about, giving advice is a little hard. I think the crate will be too large.