AusBonsai

Hi guys, I am new to the forum and keen to learn more on bonsai. I have a small bonsai at the moment that I purchased set up and really enjoying it.

I am interested if any one has ever seen or heard of a dysoxylum fraserianum ( rosewood) tree being created as a bonsai?
I love the look of the tree and would be keen to hear if this is possible ?

Also is there a beginners board on the forum where I may go to learn more ?

Cheers Aaron

Hi Aaron and welcome. There is not a beginners area - just jump in anywhere. Joining a club is also a great start

Welcome to the site! There isn't really a beginners section, but just have a search around if you're looking for anything in particular There are a lot of good threads that start with [Tutorial] in the subject

Regarding the rosewood... I've only heard of it use as a bonsai stand but I'm sure one of the more experienced members may know something

Welcome and never heard of rosewood as Bonsai,

check the links in my signature to the Wiki for some great reading and info

Ken

Could you post a photo of the tree, and maybe a close-up of the foliage and the branches? If it's a rainforest tree, you could try treating it like a lillypilli, or a Tristaniopsis - just search. You may end up being the first to try it…

Gavin

Yes Gavin it is a rainforest tree very similar to mahogany apparently , however I'm not to sure how to upload photos. I am currently trying to source a tree to start.

Thanks for all the information and I will be sure to upload some photos of the progress once I work out how ..

Are the rainforest like species difficult to bonsai ?

It's hard to generalise about rainforest trees and their suitability for Bonsai. Many Lilly Pilly's are rainforest trees and can lend themselves well to Bonsai. Although the cultivated varieties that are grown to be shorter and shrubbier would be easier. Tristaniopsis was mentioned which is commonly know as water gum and occurs in Rainforest as well as other forest types generally along water courses. And of course the figs are rainforest trees and are used extensively.

Many Rainforest trees have compound leaves, including Dysoxylum fraserianum, which are hard to reduce and can look out of proportion, although there are compound leaved plants that are used for Bonsai.

Many species also grow strongly upright and only from the apical bud when young. Others can be encouraged to bush up if given plenty of sun.

Generally species in the Myrtaceae family, which includes the Lilly Pilly's (Syzygium species) and also the Eucalyptus species, lend themselves to Bonsai culture.

So the short answer is, some are, some aren't.

P.S. I can't see the photo you have put up,

FYI - a compound leaf is one made up of many leaflets rather than a single leaf blade. A good example is the Jacaranda. The small leaves are actually leaflets which are connected by what would the veins in a simple leaf. The whole structure is a single leaf at the base of which there will be a bud like at the base of a single bladed leaf (known as a simple leaf). This bud is where new branches emerge.

The compound leaf contributes to the lovely pattern you see when looking up through the foliage of Dysoxylum faserianum