Is This A Maple?

veblen

Hi,

I live in zone 7b.

What is the genus and species of this tree? Common name?

Here is another tree I am trying to figure out what to do. I believe I would like to create a broom style tree.

The trunk circumference is 2". The tree is 3-4' tall. The top is nice (see image) I wish it was lower. I suppose I could do air layering, but I am new to this and not confident. Perhaps I could cut of the top and try to grow roots. I dont know.

Can I "V" chop the trunk and try broom style that way or should I let the tree grow to create a bigger trunk first then trunk chop?

Questions. Questions. I would appreciate any ideas or sugestions as to what to do next prior to the spring growing season.

This tree was recovered and potted about 3 weeks ago.

I will attach 2 images. The trunk and the top of the tree.

Thank you again for your patience. I anxiously await your responses.

V.

Attached Images

img_0510.jpg (65.6 KB, 144 views)

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veblen

Ideas / suggestions?

Can you help identify this tree and provide styling ideas for the next few years?

V.

Attached Images

img_0511.jpg (70.2 KB, 143 views)

FredL

Veblen, back at dear old Rutgers, the final exam in an advanced class in the Forestry Department was to give the student a handfull of litter from the floor of one of the nearby forests and have him(her) identify every stick, leaf and fragment contained therein. Your pictures had me thinking back to that test! Boy, you don't want to make this any easier than you have to, do you?

Well.....the pictures look to me like Red or Sweet Gum, Liquidambar styraciflua, if memory serves me. The leaves appear to be alternate rather than opposite, for one thing and they look thicker and shaped like typical Red Gum leaves. The bark, I'm not sure of. It looks in the ballpark for Red Gum, even if not quite exactly typical. The dead give away is the seed pods on adult trees. This ones a little young for that, but if you know where the parent tree is, check for "Gum Balls" underneath it.

Fred

Brent

Fred

It looks like Liquidambar to me too. If it is, the leaves and twigs should smell strongly of camphor if crushed. Maples, Acer species don't have this smell.

Brent

FredL

Camphor! Yes! That's what that distinctive Red Gum smell is! And, the distinctive taste, as well.

My hat is off to you, Brent, Mr. Dendrology Ace! I'm positive you got this one right.

As for styling, I haven't seen a whole lot of these trees in finished Bonsai form. I've seen a few of their Asian cousins, which are quite similar but whose name escapes me. Always, informal upright.

Fred

Bonsainut

Fred,
Liquidambar Orientalis, much used in My area. One of the only decids that doesn't burn in summer. It smells like witch hazel.

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Keep growing,---'Nut



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