What kind of tree stump is best for bonsai right now? Learn these three points!

Choosing the species:

If you want to appreciate the stump, you cannot just pick a plant with luxuriant branches and leaves; it is best to choose species with twisted trunks, relatively small leaves, but relatively abundant flowers and heavy loads of fruit. For example: firethorn (Pyracantha), nandina (Nandina domestica), Mahonia (Mahonia fortunei), Elaeagnus (Elaeagnus pungens), red nanmu (Syzygium buxifolium), oak (Quercus), bird-not-perched (Ilex cornuta), etc.; these are all evergreen varieties.

There are also deciduous varieties: wisteria (Wisteria), lacebark elm (Ulmus parvifolia), small-leaf Anzhen, trident maple (Acer buergerianum), crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica), plum yew (Rhamnus davurica), water willow (Adina rubella), euonymus (Euonymus), etc. Deciduous varieties are also divided into winter types and spring types, and their tree stumps are all suitable for bonsai.

Choosing vitality:

How do you tell whether a tree stump has strong vitality? First look at its bark: cut open the bark of the tree stump with a knife; if the inside is green and small water droplets are seeping out, then look at its branches; you can gently bend them, and if they tolerate bending, or if after breaking you can clearly feel that they have relatively strong moisture; finally look at its roots; after cutting them open, if small water droplets are also seeping out, then such a tree stump is very suitable for bonsai.

Choosing appearance:

First, it should have a thick, sturdy form, an upright posture, and the whole plant should have relatively smooth growth, with many relatively fine roots, relatively broad and thick leaves, obvious luster, etc. The growth and arrangement of its branches should also have a certain order, without needing extra truncation or binding; as long as it needs only slight pruning to create a natural tree shape, it is suitable as a tree stump bonsai.

Notes:

In the maintenance of tree stump bonsai, special attention should be paid to watering. The watering method is not just watering the roots; watering the leaves is also very important. It is best to choose a plant with relatively small leaves for bonsai, so that the proportions will not be out of balance.