Eucalyptus as bonsai grove

[paulga]

I am a novice at bonsai. At present, I have an Acacia farnesiana that I am training to look like the flat-topped Acacias seen growing in the Serengeti east Africa; a Chinotto 'myrtle-leafed' orange and two Pithecellobium that I have not yet decided how to train. While working at Walt Disney World I grew lots of plants from seed from Australia and became fascinated with Eucalyptus species. They were more difficult to successfully estabish in the Orlando area than I understand is the case in southern California, but I wonder if it would be possible to establish a grove of Eucalyptus? I have searched the web for photos or information about this, but have come up empty. I think some of the species with white or blue or peeling barks would make a wonderful bonsai grove, but I don't know enough about Eucalyptus biology to know if it is even possible. I cannot now remember the species I had experience with, but there were at least 8 or so species, including E. camaldulenis, E. gunnii and others.

Thanks in advance for any information anyone may provide!

Gary in Gainesville, Florida

[Jon Chown]

Hi Gary and welcome to Ausbonsai.

I think some of the species with white or blue or peeling barks would make a wonderful bonsai grove

Anyone who has walked amongst a grove of these trees would be hard pressed not to be moved by the beauty and I can understand how you might wish to emulate this scene into a landscape. I see a couple of issues with the idea, in particular I think that the end result would have to be a very large display as in order to represent a Gum tree in its true glory, it will need to be a very large bonsai and secondly to achieve what nature does with the peeling bark, it would have to be a very old bonsai.

Good luck with your research and I hope you achieve your dream and produce a stunning landscape.

Here is a picture of one I walked through late last year as the bark was falling.

Bush Trees 008.jpg

Gum close up.jpg

Natures paint box.jpg

Jon

[PeterH]

and secondly to achieve what nature does with the peeling bark, it would have to be a very old bonsai.

Jon that is not the case with Eucalyptus scoparia. My trees are relativly young but still shed bark yearly to reveal
a white trunk.

Peter

[Jon Chown]

I stand corrected Peter, not having worked with them I guess the comment was a bit presumptious.

Jon

[PeterH]

BUT some do need size to achive adult bark like the Iron Bark (E.sideroxylon).

I dug one of these about 6 years ago. I was told by an expert that the bark was a time issue. Not true.

Studying the growth habit of the tree in the wild it seems that the adult bark starts when

the size reaches about 50mm.


As far as a setting ( Grove) Fly was trying one with E.scoparia. ( He said he was. Dont Know how far he got )


Peter

[bonscythe]

I too would love to make a 'grove' or stand of small euc's, possibly E. camaldulensis as I have the seeds at hand.
Any one tried this before?
I understand the size issue but I have quite a large empty bonsai pot, I'm very interested in this idea as growing from seed would make it easier to get the placement set from early on right?
Cheers all .. sorry if I have hi-jacked the thread or anything!

[Marc]

Hi Gary in Florida, sorry i never replied, only read your article today.

As a grove, I reckon go for it, just grab a baker's dozen and start work. They will grow and be healthy and will love it. I find them very hardy, but thirsty.

Can't say for sure about your climate, but you get lots of warm weather, so great. Florida had high humidity and warm weather, not 100% sure about how they will with such high humidity, but i daresay they should be right with some TLC.

keep us posted.

Keep in mind, if you want FAT trucks, you may be quite grey by that time if you keep them forever pot bound...

[EdwardH]

Hi Gary,

Being in Florida you might want to some of the euc's from Queensland like the E. citroida (lemon scented gum) or the E. maculata which both grow in the northern part of the country hence enjoy the humidity. You might want to start with Maculata as they branch from quite low down.