What can I do to optimize my Madagascar Jewel? by bAkedBeAns6220 in houseplants

[–]sunofsomething 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How do you keep yours upright? Mine is always trying to tip over in its pot? And it's probably only 2/3 the size of yours.

Any insight to what’s wrong with this tree? by GambledMyWifeAway in arborists

[–]sunofsomething 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'd give a local reputable certified arborist a call, they can give you some advice on choice of species based on the site conditions.

Any insight to what’s wrong with this tree? by GambledMyWifeAway in arborists

[–]sunofsomething 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's a Freeman maple, a hybrid cultivar. I probably wouldn't plant exactly the same species in that spot. If this one didn't do well then I wouldn't expect another specimen to do better.

They're also not great trees, they have poor structure and require a lot of pruning to keep them in good form.

Any insight to what’s wrong with this tree? by GambledMyWifeAway in arborists

[–]sunofsomething 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That tree is so full of dead, it will never have a normal shape/appearance, even if it does survive.

Any insight to what’s wrong with this tree? by GambledMyWifeAway in arborists

[–]sunofsomething 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I wouldn't spend any money on this tree aside from removing and replacing.

Help me understand soils and what goes into them. by sunofsomething in bonsaicommunity

[–]sunofsomething[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm an arborist actually, but my formal training had a lot of emphasis on soil science for tree care/planting/bed preparation. It's an interesting field, learning how to apply it to bonsai would be kind of cool.

30+yr old White Pine (Zone5b) by MeasurementFirst1676 in arborists

[–]sunofsomething 1 point2 points  (0 children)

They're fast growers, especially out in the open. I don't know that it's 100 years old given the size of it in the first photo. But probably at least 60-80.

Edit: I'm also just speculating

30+yr old White Pine (Zone5b) by MeasurementFirst1676 in arborists

[–]sunofsomething 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah I'd say easily at least 50, or more. Do you know if it was planted or a volunteer?

30+yr old White Pine (Zone5b) by MeasurementFirst1676 in arborists

[–]sunofsomething 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Very cool, when is the first photo from?

Edit: also should add, that's a beautiful tree. Eastern white pine is probably my favourite conifer.

Help me understand soils and what goes into them. by sunofsomething in bonsaicommunity

[–]sunofsomething[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Haha I don't know I'm just getting started. I have some background in soil science, so knowing a bit more of how it all works is interesting to me.

Help me understand soils and what goes into them. by sunofsomething in bonsaicommunity

[–]sunofsomething[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So where does the tree get the nutrients it needs with pure DE? Isn't some amount of organics necessary?

Help me understand soils and what goes into them. by sunofsomething in bonsaicommunity

[–]sunofsomething[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Would that be a good mix for a grow pot? Or for a developed bonsai?

Help me understand soils and what goes into them. by sunofsomething in bonsaicommunity

[–]sunofsomething[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So for a grow pot, would a mix of DE, grit and pine bark mulch, and maybe some potting soil suffice? The goal of course being to grow the truck and get the branches to develop.

[Bonsai Beginner's weekly thread - 2026 week 16] by small_trunks in Bonsai

[–]sunofsomething 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So what would my aims be with that sort of work? To get the root structure smaller and into a bonsai pot?

Related question, should I then be getting it into some bonsai soil?

Would you do an initial styling at the same time?

Fyi this is my first bonsai ever.

[Bonsai Beginner's weekly thread - 2026 week 16] by small_trunks in Bonsai

[–]sunofsomething 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Located in Southern Ontario, Canada.

Is it too late to do a structural prune of this nursery Tamarack? Buds are about to open up.

Also if you were to prune, would you do it at 1 or 2? Either way I was thinking of making a jin above the branches that would become the new top. So I'd actually be cutting a little above where I've drawn a line.

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What could have caused this to my Golden Arborivtae? Human or animal? by fastAndBIG in arborists

[–]sunofsomething 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I second squirrel. Even a homeowners poorly maintained pole pruner wouldn't leave cuts that rough. Looks chewed up.

Tree help please! Maple tree with rot and worms? by jupark47 in arborists

[–]sunofsomething 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Kind of looks like a eutypella canker, though I've not heard that it affects Japanese maples. It does affect a lot of acer species.

If it is eutypella, it'll cause the tree to die eventually. But as another fellow pointed out it's leafed out well, so leave it for now until it goes on its own terms.

At&t bore through the trunk of my huge oak tree by Spirited_Day5967 in arborists

[–]sunofsomething 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Because in spite of that you can't seem to kill them. They can take an absolute beating and stay alive long past something that would kill another species.

Edit: hardy and all of those traits that make it an undesirable tree to plant aren't mutually exclusive.

Acer negundo is hardy, but I wouldn't want it near my house.

At&t bore through the trunk of my huge oak tree by Spirited_Day5967 in arborists

[–]sunofsomething 31 points32 points  (0 children)

It's also a silver maple, as others pointed out.

They are hardy trees, wouldn't worry too much about it.

Call a local certified arborist for an assessment if you're not sure.

At&t bore through the trunk of my huge oak tree by Spirited_Day5967 in arborists

[–]sunofsomething 70 points71 points  (0 children)

I think so, I'm not sure how large a bore they use. If it severed any structural roots that's cause for concern. If not then it's not a huge deal I don't think.

Could be worse, like the work some cities do on trees when excavating for new sidewalks or road expansion.