AusBonsai

The process of air layering has intrigued me. I was thinking I might practice on this big guy to get a substantial branch cutting and try turn it into a Bonsai trunk just for practice and because the tree is in my yard.I’m just not certain what the tree is and whether it would be a good candidate for bonsai or even air layering for that matter:

The trunk: The whole tree: New leaves: Established leaves, opposite and elliptic: Definitely deciduous: The seed pod:

Hi, your tree looks like a Fraxinus or English Ash. Yes you can make bonsai with them. Google for more information. Good luck with the air layering. Cheers Tim


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Not convinced it's an Ash, but can't offer any other options as yet....still looking.

Those leaves on the ground are probably because of all the rain....suspect your tree is Evergreen.

I concur with Mel, I think the leaves look too leathery for an ash. The fruit doesn't look like from an ash either.
Sorry I can't help with what it actually is.

If you don't mind, I'll share it on a plant identification site....hopefully it'll be identified pretty quickly with your photos.

I think the tree is a Black Bean, Castenospermum australe, the sole species of a rainforest tree native to NSW, QLD and New Caledonia. I dont know how it would perform as a bonsai.

Roger

I think the tree is a Black Bean, Castenospermum australe, the sole species of a rainforest tree native to NSW, QLD and New Caledonia. I dont know how it would perform as a bonsai.

That seems to be the response from my queries too. Castenospermum australe, although the pod looks a little small compared to the ones I've seen before. Open up that pod and you should get your answer.

Thanks for this.

All the pods have opened and dropped seeds both on the ground and on the tree.

I can sort of see the resemblance when I google. Although in 5 years I’ve never seen those flowers on the tree.

This is the best I could find were some old rotting ones that still had a seed in.

I have this tree growing in my side yard and I believe it is a Pittosporum undulate, common name Sweet Pittosporum.

It is a rainforest tree with a life expectancy of approx. 40 years.

Fiona

Although in 5 years I’ve never seen those flowers on the tree.

There's no doubt about it, the flowers are quite distinctive! The leaves certainly look like the black bean....

Take your air layer and see how it goes....nothing like getting experience!

Definitely not a Pittosporum, they do not have these seed pods and are not in the Fabaceae or pea family.

I've had another person suggest Schotia, which is also a possibility, although the leaves aren't quite right.

I think the only thing you can do to get a definitive answer is to wait until it flowers, Dan.

I don't think its Castenospermum australe. Seed pods of the Black Bean have seeds in a line close together, where this has 2 seeds in seperate compartments. Also the leaflets on the Black Bean are alternate, where this one they are opposite and the bark seems too dark. There are a lot of trees with compound leaves like this and as suggested you may have to wait for it to flower or have fresh seed pods.

As for a candidate for Bonsai, the compound leaves could make it difficult, although not impossible. Air layering may or not work either. Only way to find out is to give it a go.

This Flickr post implies it can have both types of seed pod.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/tgerus/3060515987