AusBonsai

Just getting a thread started for this young tree. After seeing Eucalyptus Spathulata in the environment and doing some research, I thought it would be a good local candidate for bonsai. Naturally small leaf size being a big plus.

So far I've wired some curves into the trunk while young and flexible still. Wire bit in and have removed now. Recently up-potted to keep growing
October 2024
January 2025 after trunk wire removed and up-potted.

The species looks interesting - please keep posting as it develops. I think you can even give it a larger pot, fertilise it heavily, and cut back hard to get some girth into it. Possibly consider making the movement three-dimensional with your next bend or cut. Does it bark up, shed bark, or stay fine?

Gavin

Coolio, I reckon spathulata would make nice bonsai, as would salubris, one of the few eucalypts in my inspiration folder.

Very interesting will have to do some reading on the species. After exploring banksia eucalyptus will be my next stop for creating viable stock.

Do you think this could be E. spathulata? It's one I brought back from the brink after a friend wasn't able to keep it safe. It was covered in scale and had around 3 leaves back in 2020.

It's around 25 - 30 years old, I think... so yours has a way to go.

melbrackstone wrote: ↑January 14th, 2025, 7:41 pm Do you think this could be E. spathulata? It's one I brought back from the brink after a friend wasn't able to keep it safe. It was covered in scale and had around 3 leaves back in 2020.

It's around 25 - 30 years old, I think... so yours has a way to go.
1531-EucalyptusSp.jpg

Hmm it certainly could be. Hard to tell from the photo but the bark looks a bit different than E. spathulata. Looks rougher and more grey than the shiny copper colour they usually have. Leaves look right though.

GavinG wrote: ↑January 14th, 2025, 2:48 am The species looks interesting - please keep posting as it develops. I think you can even give it a larger pot, fertilise it heavily, and cut back hard to get some girth into it. Possibly consider making the movement three-dimensional with your next bend or cut. Does it bark up, shed bark, or stay fine?

Gavin

Yes I plan to get some better movement in it with hard cuts combined with some wiring. Just put a mundane S curve in to start so not dead straight. Thinking I'll go with a fairly short main trunk that divides into multiple trunks which is their natural growth habit.

These are smooth barked trees but with cool colouring that adds interest. They have a shiny coppery appearance with red/brown/green tones.

Hmm it certainly could be. Hard to tell from the photo but the bark looks a bit different than E. spathulata. Looks rougher and more grey than the shiny copper colour they usually have. Leaves look right though.

Thanks. I have NO idea what it is, but thought the leaves on yours looked similar. It's definitely a darker and rougher bark.

Cheers

melbrackstone wrote: ↑January 15th, 2025, 11:18 am

Hmm it certainly could be. Hard to tell from the photo but the bark looks a bit different than E. spathulata. Looks rougher and more grey than the shiny copper colour they usually have. Leaves look right though.

Thanks. I have NO idea what it is, but thought the leaves on yours looked similar. It's definitely a darker and rougher bark.

Cheers

Just a thought.. Have you considered E. Nicholii? I know that has the similar very narrow leaves but rough bark. Probably many other Eucs that do but that one comes to mind.

Just a thought.. Have you considered E. Nicholii? I know that has the similar very narrow leaves but rough bark. Probably many other Eucs that do but that one comes to mind.

I have a small one labelled E. nicholii and the foliage is very different, it's grey and very fine, however the entry in wiki does sound very much like the older tree.

I might have to get one of those apps....lol.

I just purchased 3 seedlings of these to trial.
So I come to Ausbonsai to see who has tried these before after researching small leaved Eucs, and of course it’s Patmet that trialled this species. Haha. Nice

Unfortunately for those of us on the eastern seaboard, the first step of species trialling is Myrtle Rust.
It’s like Hunger Games for your trees.

So so many Eucs I’ve trialled over the years were so beautiful, but eventually succumb or never look decent because of Myrtle Rust.

Anyway, hopefully this species proves a winner. Time will tell, but looking at yours gives me hope.
E nicholii is a fabulous species for bonsai, but it does get badly affected by Myrtle Rust, but the leaf size on those is half the size of Spathulata. Formanii is another great price to trial if you get a chance, with even smaller leaves.