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Rescued english box (I think?)

Posted: June 19th, 2010, 9:14 pm
by Crowie
Hey all,
This tree had a lot of rot due to it's shady/moist location. South of a 3 story building under a large tree.
It had been planted there approx 40 years ago.
A lot of the trunk fell apart while collecting it but I salvaged as much as I could.
I had a large bonsai pot doing nothing so thought I would use that instead of Styrofoam box etc.
One part of the trunk fell off and had almost no roots but it looks to have some potential so potted it up with some hope!!(post some pics on that later)
Anyway let me know what you think, ideas etc...
ps. sorry about the photo quality, taken with the mobile.

Re: Rescued english box (I think?)

Posted: June 19th, 2010, 9:22 pm
by Amanda
You watch, that pot will fill up with roots in no time.

Nice score :) :)

Re: Rescued english box (I think?)

Posted: June 19th, 2010, 9:56 pm
by Crowie
Thanks for the encouragement anja.
Is it an English box?
It had been grown as part of a hedge and searching on the net it seems to be correct (just comparing the leaves)
I hope your right about the roots as I want it to survive as think it could be something interesting.
The pics dont do it justice..

Re: Rescued english box (I think?)

Posted: June 19th, 2010, 10:52 pm
by miyagiman
could this be a mirror bush, seems to be the juicy looking leaves. its a bit hard with the photo quality as you said. what do others think. cheers, miyagiman.

Re: Rescued english box (I think?)

Posted: June 20th, 2010, 12:06 am
by Jamie
gday mate!

great trunk on that one, there is one angle there that shows it twisting around looks like deadwood! as for english box i dont think so, i think miyagi might be onto something with the mirror bush!

nice find, its all bout good after care, keep it in the shade for a couple of weeks until it starts to push some new growth then slowly give it some morning sun a bit more each week till its in full sun and loving life! a good dose of seasol or superthrive as per recommendations for freshly planted plants is also a good idea. if you can give it a soak in a "bath" for a bit it will help too!

jamie :D

Re: Rescued english box (I think?)

Posted: June 20th, 2010, 5:10 am
by anttal63
miyagiman wrote:could this be a mirror bush, seems to be the juicy looking leaves. its a bit hard with the photo quality as you said. what do others think. cheers, miyagiman.

yep yep yep! Dont ever doubt your self miyagi,thats what it is!!! :D

Re: Rescued english box (I think?)

Posted: June 20th, 2010, 10:06 am
by bodhidharma
Yes, the boys are correct. Coprosma it is. You wont kill it. a VERY GOODBONSAI SUBJECT

Re: Rescued english box (I think?)

Posted: June 20th, 2010, 10:14 am
by roka
Yep 100% mirror bush.I have several of these and they are great for bonsai,Just as Bodhi stated.Very nice find btw ;) :D

Re: Rescued english box (I think?)

Posted: June 20th, 2010, 6:09 pm
by Handy Mick
Sorry, I think it is a box.
Even with the quality of photo i can see a real nice tree there.
Nice rescue Crowie.

Re: Rescued english box (I think?)

Posted: June 20th, 2010, 6:58 pm
by Jamie
sorry its coprosma. but yes there is great potential in it!
Coprosma-repens-01[2].jpg
coprosma leaves!
617px-Buxus_vdg.jpg
english box leaves

jamie :)

Re: Rescued english box (I think?)

Posted: June 20th, 2010, 8:32 pm
by Handy Mick
what about this

Re: Rescued english box (I think?)

Posted: June 20th, 2010, 8:37 pm
by Chris Di Nola
From what I can teel, Iwould say Japanese Box

Good find either way :D

Re: Rescued english box (I think?)

Posted: June 20th, 2010, 8:48 pm
by bodhidharma
The root system of buxus is very fibrous and dense whereas Coprosma is long and stringy as in these pictures. The only thing throwing me off is Coprosma bark is usually not as dark as in these pictures. My money is still on Coprosma.

Re: Rescued english box (I think?)

Posted: June 20th, 2010, 8:59 pm
by Crowie
The leaves definitely look like a mirror bush but after looking about on the net a mirror bush flowers and fruits.
In the 10 years I have been passing by this tree I have never seen either.
I hope I'm wrong as I really like flowering bonsai but from what I can tell it is some sort of box.

Re: Rescued english box (I think?)

Posted: June 20th, 2010, 9:11 pm
by bodhidharma
If it is a buxus it must be 100 plus years old at the rate buxus grows. Buxus is also a very hard wood and wouldnt rot like that. But, who knows, it could be. :twisted: