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Morning all,

As you may have seen I'm new to the group and hobby. Would a Fagus Sylvatics be a good tree you start with?

I'm guessing not due to the larger leaves.

Thanks

Gowing wrote: Morning all,
As you may have seen I'm new to the group and hobby. Would a Fagus Sylvatics be a good tree you start with?

Google and you'll find Fagus Sylvatica is a good tree for bonsai:

Fagus sylvatica is a good species for bonsai. Leaf size is not important until the tree is almost finished, then they need to be in keeping with the size of the tree, so if you are planning a tall tree with a large canopy then the leaves will be a bit bigger than a shorter tree. Hornbeam which are similar is also a great species to use.
Geoff.

Although I agree with Fagus being good for bonsai in general, I would not recommend them as a first tree. They are a bit more picky on watering, light and funicky about their roots.

Good that you start with thinking ahead. Even though leav size is only important once you get closer to the final image, for a good bonsai, leaf size is important, and therefor a very relevant selection criterium. Fagus do reduce leaves and they can go down to about 2 cm.

Depending on the area you are in..
Trident maple are pretty indestructable and good starting trees,
as are Larix (The latter you only have to report at the right time; Too late in spring will kill it).

yes, i agree with leatherback, about fagus, i would also recommend privet or ligustrum, preferably a common or oval leaved one. not many people consider the common privet, but they are indestructible as well as the trident maple.

Hello, thanks again for the advice.

The reason I'm asking about the Fagus is because I have one in a pot in the garden that is about 3foot tall.

The trunk is very small as a young tree, should I be doing anything to it? Will it be harder to do anything with it if gets taller?

Should I start it as a bonsai or leave it longer?

Thanks

#1 is rootbase & trunk diameter. Once you have that sorted, you look at the rest.

While growing the roots & trunk, keep in mind the shape you want the final tree to get. With respect to that: You should give the trunk a shape you like, and/or stimulate lower-branch growth, while keeping back on the top growth, to increase taper on your tree.

I'm not going to lie but a lot of that last post as gone over the top of me.

Working with plants and growing them is one thing but growing a bonsai is another.

I will get a picture of the tree in the next 30mins when I get home.

Thanks

Gowing wrote: I'm not going to lie but a lot of that last post as gone over the top of me.

A bit more elaborate here: