AusBonsai

Well i got this Japanese Neem Tree aka, Musk/stink maple, Latin name Premna Japonica, from Ray's on monday. Unfortunately i dont know much about the species (stupid i know. i always plan to research the tree before i buy it, but it never happens ) This little one was just sitting there, lovely flare base and aged-ish bark. For $45 i couldnt just walk past and not buy it
The good base:

One side:

The other side:

The whole tree:

If anyone has some general info on the species, I'd really appreciate it I have looked on the net, but theres really not much info out there on these guys.
Also styling options: please give me you're opinion. Obviously I think broom style, as I like those and it would be a challenge - also Ray said that you can get great remification on these and tiny little leaves - but the only drawback is I think the trunk is a little too long and thin to look powerful. If they layer ok, i might consider layering about 10cms up the trunk to give me a squat little brrom eventaully. getting rid of the thick branch as shown and encouraging a bud where the arrow is, as this would encourage the essential split in the trunk that is typical of broom style. The reason I'll defininetly cut this branch off is that its way too thick, its the same width as the trunk! Heres the virt of what i propose to do about it:

Thanks in advance guys, and please be honest. if you think my ideas aren't great, please tell me so. One condition though: you have to tell me a better way

Hi,

Premna grow in the gully beside my house. They are the native species not P. japonica but they probably do much the same. We have had to cut branches off in the past and I have found they callous quickly when cut and form big lumpy bits. I would recommend when you do cut it back that you concave/hollow out the cut as deep as you can so that the callous can heal over nice and smooth. The wood of these collapses quickly too so I would seal it. P. japonica probably is slower growing and has harder wood.

Ash

Ash wrote:Hi,

Premna grow in the gully beside my house. They are the native species not P. japonica but they probably do much the same. We have had to cut branches off in the past and I have found they callous quickly when cut and form big lumpy bits. I would recommend when you do cut it back that you concave/hollow out the cut as deep as you can so that the callous can heal over nice and smooth. The wood of these collapses quickly too so I would seal it. P. japonica probably is slower growing and has harder wood.

Ash

Thanks Ash, that helps a lot But what do you mean by the wood collapses quickly? Does that mean that it rots quickly?