collected ash

Today i dug this up from a bit of public land that is covered in ash sapling which get hacked down every year. this one looked like it had great potential - plus it came out really easily - which was nice. It has a fairly good roots system so im hoping it will survive. As currently planted its roughly 300mm tall, 80mm wide at the base.

Im not sure how suitable ash are for bonsai but thought id give it a go.

20170319_153210 by John Deller, on Flickr

20170319_153226 by John Deller, on Flickr

20170319_155015 by John Deller, on Flickr

20170319_155028 by John Deller, on Flickr

johndeller wrote:(...) It has a fairly good roots system so im hoping it will survive. As currently planted its roughly 300mm tall, 80mm wide at the base.

Im not sure how suitable ash are for bonsai but thought id give it a go. (...)

Good find!

I'm pretty sure it will survive: I've made rather large cuttings (almost 1 inch) from European ash (Fraxinus excelsior) in February and they always took. It's hard to be sure for other varieties but I think that considering the fine roots it has, it will be OK anyway.

Ash is a bit tricky because of its compound leaves that can be quite large, but I wouldn't worry about that now: I think you should let it recover first this year, then, when planted in a shallower pot every year, the internodes and the leaves will reduce.

Defoliating once or even twice a year is also not a problem to reduce the leaves.

You can have a look at the photos of 3 of mine if that can help, and be free to ask me, or mail me for more info. Of course they might not be excatly the same species, but I also have two Chinese ash (Fraxinus chinensis - 2 seedlings from a conservation arboretum, so I'm 100% certain they're Chinese ash) and although they're from very different parts of the world they look, and behave in a very similar way, so...

http://krizic.eu/bonsai/photos/index.php?/category/38

PS:

It is Fraxinus excelsior!

I saw your avatar with the stars and stripes, and you (?) playing banjo, and I immediately thought of Doug Dillatrd, so I assumed you lived in the US

So the chances it will survive is close to 100%. Good news, innit?

About the cuts you made:

Instead of making vertical cuts, diagonal cut would be better:



There's a very good chance that new roots will start at the cuts, and the new roots will spread more horizontally, hence preparing a good nebari:



I think that it's still time to improve them: If you repotted them a couple of days ago, taking them out of the pot and making new cuts shouldn't be a problem. Use hormones on the cuts and I'm sure it will be all right.

Thanks Alain for your advice and good advice about the root cuts. i'll get on it ASAP.

Yes it is Excelsior... but no I dont live in the U.S. Im in London, England (I play and make banjos as (another) hobby).

Good hear positive things about the ash. i keep reading that they are not suitable for bonsai due to their course nature and compound leaves.

Im also a bit worried about ash die back but it doesn't seem to be affecting this part of London as much as predicted... lets hope.

Looking through your website - you have some great trees there

johndeller wrote:(...) I play and make banjos as (another) hobby.

Cool... I can (could) pick a bit of guitar myself. If ever I can jump across the pond, let's jam together

johndeller wrote:Good hear positive things about the ash. i keep reading that they are not suitable for bonsai due to their course nature and compound leaves.

Yes, if you can make it a shohin (less than 30cm), kudos on you! but if you aim at a 45-60 cm tall tree, it will be ll right I thnk.

johndeller wrote:Im also a bit worried about ash die back but it doesn't seem to be affecting this part of London as much as predicted... lets hope.

I wouldn't: potted trees are much safer. If you keep it ina healthy environment, I'm sure you won't have any probelm.

Totally irrelevant, but that's what I'm listening to, and want to share:

Cool... I can (could) pick a bit of guitar myself. If ever I can jump across the pond, let's jam together Wink wrote:

yeah lets do it! old timey bonsai banjo

Yes, if you can make it a shohin (less than 30cm), kudos on you! Wink but if you aim at a 45-60 cm tall tree, it will be ll right I thnk. wrote:

good idea, i'll get some height on it and see where it goes.

P.S. great Vid. Always loved him... I had a full on Chuck day