ID Please

[kayleboconnor]

Hi everyone,

I recently picked up this tree which the previous owner had grown and cut in the hope of one day creating an awesome bonsai. Unfortunetly the person who I picked it up from had no idea what the tree is and I have tried doing some research but I have been unsuccessful. I was wondering if anyone on here could help.

The tree itself is light (almost like a fig) and has large green leaf's.

Here are some phots of when I first picked the tree up to now.

Any ideas?

Cheers Kayleb

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[Keep Calm and Ramify]

As a guess it looks kinda like...a hibiscus?

[shibui]

Sometimes a location can give a few clues as to IDs because some species grow better in some places. Adding a location to your profile gives other readers clues to what and how you can grow.

The early photos are leafless. Does that mean this species is deciduous or had it lost leaves for another reason or been defoliated?

Figs are relatively easy to ID. They have a cellophane like sheath around the terminal buds and when cut the stems exude milky latex sap. From what I can see I'd rule out ficus but really need a closer look at the growing tip.

[kayleboconnor]

Hi everyone,

I have no idea why the tree had no leaves. I purchased it as a gamble and it seems to be ok.

I am located in the Illawarra if that helps.

Cheers

[austindrake]

My guess is a magnolia. It looks almost identical to mine!
I have two, a pre-bonsai Magnolia × soulangeana and a yard tree Magnolia 'butterflies', and the leaves are already looking like both of mine. They are big and green and really bright green softwood.

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[shibui]

Illawarra location allows some warmer climate species than somewhere like Canberra but does not really narrow down the options much.

Both the guesses so far are possible. Some magnolias are deciduous which may explain why it had no leaves.
We will probably have to wait until it produces flowers to get a final verdict.

[Sno]

I second Magnolia . Going on the leaf shape it’s M liiliflora . They can be difficult to flower in bonsai cultivation . It may be my climate , mine has flowered once in the ten years I have had it ( it’s over twenty years old ) . They flower on the tips of second year growth so you have to let the branches extend for the year and then cut back after flowering in the spring . You will know if they are going to flower because the flower buds start in winter when they have no leaves ( they are deciduous) the flower buds are larger than the terminal buds ( new buds on the end of the branches ) .
Magnolia stellata , common name Star Magnolia are more reliable flowering .

[kayleboconnor]

My guess is a magnolia. It looks almost identical to mine!
I have two, a pre-bonsai Magnolia × soulangeana and a yard tree Magnolia 'butterflies', and the leaves are already looking like both of mine. They are big and green and really bright green softwood.2022-02-28 21_40_52-2022-01.JPG ‎- Photos.png

Hi Mate,

Does you Magnolia flower? Still trying to figure out what this could be.

cheers

[austindrake]

Mine was quite young when I purchased it and for the time being I have cut it back each year - so no flowers (I believe they only flower on last years wood? I may be wrong). I bought a yellow one ('Butterflies') at the same time and put that in a much bigger pot as a feature tree and that did flower on its 2nd winter/spring, but I have not pruned it.

I think to truly tell, you'll need to let it grow out for perhaps another year and see if it flowers.