AusBonsai

Hi guys,

I have no idea what this is but its on my friends front yard and he hates it! I however think it may have some potential?...

It has a sturdy trunk which looks like it had been chopped before and has had new wild growth with quite small leaves. So far it seems suitable for bonsai and my first attempt at saving an unwanted tree. It is probably 1.2m high and looks to be in good health. Here are some really crappy photos I took with my ipod, it was spur of the moment, it was getting dark and I was getting drunk hahaha I hope Im not wasting your time... cheers!


Whole tree


The leaves were probably the size of my thumb and I think had jagged/serrated edges


Bad attempt at getting perspective

If we can Identify this then I can get onto researching

Does it have thorns on the stems? It looks alot like a rose...

Hmmm true yes it does look like it could be... I didnt know roses could get such thick trunks. Ill get a hold of my mate and ask him if it is. Would it still be suitable for bonsai?

Kenji B wrote:Hmmm true yes it does look like it could be... I didnt know roses could get such thick trunks. Ill get a hold of my mate and ask him if it is. Would it still be suitable for bonsai?

I've heard mixed things on rose bonsai. I think most tend to stay away from them, but there are those that grow them. If it's got a nice trunk and it's free, I'd probably give it a go.

Hi Kenji,
It's a little difficult with the photos. In one of the photos I thought I could see some serrations on the leaves. If there are serrations it could be a Camellia.

Regards Ray

Kanji,
My initial thought was camellia due to the compactness and size of the foliage, also the deep green colour and glossiness of the leaves. A better close up will definitely help with ID.
SLee.

Lost as well.... Leaves look very small for camellia and then I thought a trunk of that thickness on a rose would have dark textured bark?? Sorry I'm no help at all!

Hi Kenji,

I am going to go with mattA and say rose. It looks to have pinnate leaves in groups of 5 an there is one particular stem there that looks like a flower? I would say some roses can get quite thick trunks.

Squizz

I am glad I don't have an iPod.

The compound leaves and stipules along the petiole definitely suggest rose to me. I've seen some nice fat coarse barked rose bushes in old gardens, no idea how they would go as a bonsai though!

Cheers,

Mark

Rose can be quite nice as Bonsai actaully
Definitley not traditional, and are grown for the flower display usually

When young they can be wired, but do not let it cut in.

Ken