Ash as Small or Medium Bonsai Update June 2018

Quick update showing how these tree's leaves come down in size quite readily. They don't just need to be used as large bonsai.
More on these trees in the playlist Small Ash Bonsai at • Small Ash Bonsai

[@Sherman_616]

I’ve never seen ash tree leaves reduce size so much, good job man

[@SidsTrees]

Sherman 616 Thanks. Cheers. Sid

[@bonsaimoldova]

Nice work. Looking really nice

[@KennetDeBondt]

These look really nice! grts K

[@arcturus8218]

hi, i trim my ash stems back to 2 pairs at top 3 leaves at bottom if i got to many leaves

[@prauny]

It was I that queried. I am now having a go at an ash. That first one seems to have the beginnings of some ramification, perhaps that’s why then leaves are smaller on it?

[@SidsTrees]

shaun jones Maybe so. Grown from seed collected. They've never been in anything bigger than a 9cm pot before going in a bonsai pot which may have contributed.

[@prauny]

They have grown nice trunks then considering their pots.

[@SidsTrees]

shaun jones You might be surprised what can be achieved trunk wise in 9cm pots. Perhaps that's an idea for a future video. Cheers. Sid.

[@stevenrapa4014]

Hi Sid, Im totally new to this concept. I actually found your videos looking for options for a self seeded ash tree in my back garden. Long story short its right next to my garage, which I wanted to extend with and attached outhouse / mini retreat... Its seems my options are - Kill and remove it. Which I really dont want to do. (Its been growing almost as long as I have ). - Move it to another location in the garden. (Which I have come to believe is likely impossible). - Build AROUND it. And make it almost a feature. (The issue here is I have no experience with tree and how they grow. And how to predict future growth interfering with structures around it. I am wondering if it would be possible to trim back surface roots, and constrain its further growth to within a confined area.... like a big bonsai! Or if it would likely just break everything around it in a few years...). - Final option... cut it down but take several cuttings to turn into bonsai miniatures off it , like a spiritual successor :D . (Would this be possible from cuttings? Or is it done from seedlings only to give the miniature leaf size etc). Id greatly appreciate your expertise and ideas on this project. I am also in the UK down on the south coast. Love the videos, really interesting. All the best Steve.

[@SidsTrees]

Hate to be the bearer of bad news but I think you shouldn't leave it where it is as it is likely to damage your new structure eventually no matter what you do. If you try to move it this time of year it is unlikely to survive. Moving trees is best done when they're dormant. I've no experience taking cuttings of Ash as they sprout so readily from seed and think that would be the best option. However, I would try to move it myself and give it lots of aftercare and see what happens. Good luck whatever you decide. Cheers. Sid.

[@stevenrapa4014]

@@SidsTrees Thanks for the advice Sid. Really appreciated. I certainly would move it if I could, But im really not sure how I would go about it. Its roughly 25-30 years old, and I have been told it will have a very large 'root ball' beneath it that would need to be brought up intact with it!? Do you really think moving it is an option?

[@SidsTrees]

@@stevenrapa4014 honestly I think it would be unlikely to survive if I'm honest especially at this time of year. I'm sure if you did a search for moving large trees or shrubs there would be some helpful stuff popping up. Cheers. Sid.

[@SidsTrees]

@@stevenrapa4014 try this. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hp25o4iEqbqBpK8

[@stevenrapa4014]

@@SidsTrees ah thank you, thats interesting. I was going to say that tree is much smaller than mine, but actually when he zoomed out my ash is probably about that overall height but obviously with much more of the height coming from the main trunk. Rather than splaying near the ground as this does. It probably first forks about 5ft above my head and I can JUST clasp both hands around it that they can touch. Do you think my root ball would be much larger / deeper than this one? If its comparable I would indeed be tempted to try it!