Silver birch nursery stock bonsai direction

[AndyLo]

Hi all


I purchased this silver birch from a closing down nursery for 10 bucks. I'm not sure if it is usable for bonsai at all.

I've attempted an air layer on one of the branches that I would any way cut off for a bit of an experiment. I'm new to bonsai by the way.

Any thoughts on the best way to progress this tree into something that resembles bonsai?


Many thanks


Andy


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[thoglette]

Silver birch are fast growing so pretty good beginner material. It reportedly does die back but shoots like crazy.

Now, your trunk is very straight and has no taper, which is not usually what we're after.

The classic approach is to cut above the first branch and grow that for a year; then cut above the first branch on that and repeat. Use cut paste (you can DIY it - use the search)

I've shown where these cuts would go - plus a virtual pot for about three years time. (For now, repot at that angle in a big, wide pot)

birch.jpg

That's just one of a number of options - you could make a V shaped cut higher up and do a "broom" style plant.

[AndyLo]

Thoglette, thanks so much for the advice! I'm off to get some plasticine and start cutting!


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[thoglette]

I'm off to get some plasticine and start cutting!

Do post photos of the results!

[AndyLo]

Chopped her off a week or so ago. Rained all week so just left it out. A caterpillar did a nice job eating a heap of leaves.




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[thoglette]

Chopped her off a week or so ago. Rained all week so just left it out. A caterpillar did a nice job eating a heap of leaves.

That's step one, ensure that you've got something covering the wound. Any other variety and I'd be saying "carve it back" but birch are a bit fernickity.

Now get that tree growing! Don't cut the new leader until it's at least 2/3rds the thickness of the original stump. Nor the next leader.

NOT cutting too early is possibly the hardest thing in bonsai.

[AndyLo]

Thoglette, for me not doing anything early on a bonsai is a challenge. Hoping to learn some patients out if this hobby!

I put cut paste on the wound when I cut it. Seems to have soaked in a little. Should I put more on?


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[thoglette]

I put cut paste on the wound when I cut it. Seems to have soaked in a little. Should I put more on?

No need - the point of the paste is to keep the end from drying out and dying back. (It also stops nasties getting in)