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There are a large number of different species of trees that can be used for bonsai; nearly all share the characteristic of being able to produce new buds on old wood allowing continual pruning and re-generation to take place. Other preferred qualities for bonsai in a tree species include small leaves or leaves that reduce in size with training, short internodes (the distance between each leaf-joint along a branch) and the ability to withstand root disturbance.
The following guides cover a large range of coniferous and broadleaved, evergreen and deciduous trees that have the potential for use as bonsai to one degree or another. Some species are commonly seen such as the Elms, Junipers and Pines, others such as Grapevines, Tamarix and Hederas may be a rare occurrence but can have their own qualities and characteristics that make them of interest to the enthusiast.
This list is by no means comprehensive; there are many species missing from this list that have great potential for bonsai.
With respect to cultivation notes, this guide is written from European (UK) perspective where Summer temperatures rarely reach above 30°C and winter temps will rarely fall lower than -10°C. For hotter or colder climates, extra care must be taken for the protection of trees against the sun in summer, the frost in winter and also large fluctuations in temperature between day and night.
Heights listed in the guide are based on mature trees growing in ideal conditions in their natural habitat. Leaf-sizes are given based on field or garden trees, with bonsai cultivation it is possible to reduce the size of leaves of most species by a half or even more.
CLICK ON LATIN OR COMMON NAME FOR SPECIES INFO
ACER CAMPESTRE - MAPLES Updated October 2015
ACER PALMATUM varieties -JAPANESE MAPLESAdditional Species Information Acer palmatum Advanced Techniques
AESCULUS HIPPOCASTANUM / HORSE CHESTNUT
AZALEA varieties Additional Species Information A Care Calendar for Satsuki Azalea Bonsai
BERBERIS species -BARBERRYS
BETULA species -BIRCHES Additional Species Information Distinguishing between Silver and Downy Birch
BOUGAINVILLEA species -Bouganvilleas
BUXUS species - BOXES Additional Species Information Buxus/Boxwood Indepth
CARMONA MICROPHYLLA -FUKIEN TEA
CERCIS SILIQUASTRUM -JUDAS TREE
CHAMAECYPARIS species -CYPRESSES
CORYLOPSIS species -WINTERHAZELS
COTONEASTER species -COTONEASTER
CRATAEGUS species -HAWTHORNS
CYDONIA OBLONGA -COMMON QUINCE
DIOSPYROS Guest Article by Leo de Leon
ENKIANTHUS species -ENKIANTHUS
EUPHORBIA PULCHERRIMA -POINSETTIA
EUONYMOUS species -SPINDLE TREES
FAGUS species -BEECHES Additional Species Information Advanced Pruning Techniques for Beech Bonsai
FICUS species -FIGS
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GINGKO BILOBA -MAIDENHAIR TREE
GLEDISTA TRICANTHOS -HONEY LOCUST
HEDERA species -IVY
ILEX species -HOLLYS
JUNIPERUS species -JUNIPERS Updated October 2015
LAGERSTROEMIA INDICA -MYRTLES
LARIX species -LARCHES
LIQUIDAMBER STYRACHIFLUA -SWEETGUM
LONICERA species -SHRUBBY HONEYSUCKLES
MAGNOLIA STELLATA -STAR MAGNOLIA
NANDINA DOMESTICA -SACRED or HEAVENLY BAMBOO
PARTHENOCISSUS species -BOSTON IVY/VIRGINIA CREEPERS
PEMPHIS ACIDULA- PEMPHIS or IRONWOOD or PHILIPPINE BANTIGUE Guest Article
PICEA species -SPRUCES Additional Species Information Picea Pruning, Styling and Wiring
PINUS species -PINES Additional Species Information Pinus mugo Indepth Japanese White Pine/P. parviflora Pruning and Care Guidelines
PODOCARPUS MACROPHYLLUS -PODOCARPUS
POTENTILLA FRUITICOSA varieties -POTENTILLA/CINQUEFOIL
PRUNUS species - Blackthorn, cherrys, plum varieties
PUNICA GRANATUM varieties -POMEGRANATE
PYRACANTHA species -FIRETHORNS Updated October 2015
QUERCUS species -OAKS Updated October 2015 Additional Species Information Collecting and Repotting Quercus robur
RHODODENDRONS species -AZALEAS Additional Species Information A Care Calendar for Satsuki Azalea Bonsai
ROBINIA PSEUDOACACIA -FALSE ACACIA/BLACK LOCUST
SAGERETIA THEEZANS -CHINESE BIRD PLUM
SERRISA FOETDA -TREE OF A THOUSAND STARS
SCHEFFLERA ACTINPHYLLA -UMBRELLA TREE
SORBUS species -ROWANS / MOUNTAIN ASH
TAXODIUM DISTICHUM - SWAMP CYPRESS
THYMUS species -THYMES
ZELKOVA SERRATA varieties -JAPANESE ELMS
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