Tropical ID

ripssurf

if i can make a suggestion, perhaps we could use a separate forum for Tree ID's. if it exists already, then i guess im a little late...

this is a tree that i won at my bonsai club's raffle last month. i think it's a pretty cool tree. whether or not it has potential is still to be determined, but i think it could become a very interesting tree.

one of the problems i have with this tree is that i have no idea what it is. it kind of looks like a gum, but im not sure if im in the right neighborhood much less even near it.

thanks in advance,

jeff

ps sorry about the picture quality. i guess i have to read OMC's tutorial on photos now...

Attached Images

	IMG_1133a.JPG (59.4 KB, 34 views)
	IMG_1134a.JPG (68.4 KB, 10 views)
	IMG_1135a.JPG (63.9 KB, 16 views)

Advertisement

ripssurf

here are some pics of the tree at the base. huge nebari...

jeff

Attached Images

	IMG_1158a.JPG (70.8 KB, 9 views)
	IMG_1154a.JPG (65.1 KB, 5 views)
	IMG_1156a.JPG (65.4 KB, 11 views)

dbz12fan

Hey Jeff,
This is a ficus salicifolia. Sometimes known as ficus nerifolia.

__________________
"Success demands understanding"-Andy Rutledge

Charles Bevan
Vero Beach, Fl

ripssurf

charles,

are these native to florida?

jeff

ps thanks for your help.

dbz12fan

I believe there is still argument over where they are native to as well as their actual name. However, I have not spent much time studying salicifolia's history. Jerry Meislik could tell you more.

__________________
"Success demands understanding"-Andy Rutledge

Charles Bevan
Vero Beach, Fl

Jerry Meislik

No one is for sure where this tree came from originally. The best information is that it showed up in Southern Florida in the 1950's and was quickly recognized to be a superior bonsai material for indoors and tropical use.
The name is in debate, as Charles stated. Ficus nerifolia, salicifolia, celebensis etc. But all refer to this same material.
Good luck with it.
Jerry

__________________
Jerry Meislik
Whitefish Montana USA
Zone 4-5
http://www.bonsaihunk.us/

ripssurf

FWIW, i was looking around the BCI Care Guide for this species after i got the name, and they say it came from indonesia originally. im not sure if this is accurate or not, but i was wondering when it did come to the states originally. since it has been here since the '50s i guess that means that it is a well established species here and very suitable for the area.

jerry,

by the way, since you are in whitefish, my parents lived in kalispell for a couple of years. my dad actually went bowling out in whitefish a couple of times a week. they loved it there and when they retire, they plan to move back up there. i think they are going about this whole retirement thing wrong. most people go from that area and retire to florida. they want to retire to montana. anyway...thanks for the info.

jeff

Jerry Meislik

Whitefish is a great town and many, many folks are retiring here in the cold weather. We do love it and would love to meet your folks when its time for them to check housing. We can help them.
Jerry

__________________
Jerry Meislik
Whitefish Montana USA
Zone 4-5
http://www.bonsaihunk.us/

ripssurf

jerry.

i just saw on the BSF Calendar of Events that youll be doing a workshop at he BSF show. i look forward to seeing you there. do you know what material you will be working with?

best,

jeff