100+ Trees That Can Be Made Bonsai and Examples
If you are just getting into the world of bonsai and planning to have one, you may be confused about choosing the right tree species to start with.
Here bonsai-passion.co.uk would like to share information that you can use as a reference regarding a list of trees that can be made into bonsai. There are dozens of species and hundreds of tree cultivars that can be trained into bonsai, but not all trees can thrive in unsuitable locations.
What does it mean?
Before continuing, it would be nice if we discussed a little about “geography” where living things, especially trees grow in a place (habitat) with a certain geography. If the tree is moved from its original place to a new place, the new place must have an environment similar to its original habitat, such as climate, average temperature, and ecosystem. If you have a lot of money and want to immediately start a bonsai with imported trees or trees that are not suitable for the geography where you live, you will have a very difficult time caring for them, they can even die quickly. However, if you want to explore the internet a bit, you will be advised to use tree species that grow near where you live.
How do I find out the geographic location where I live?
The easiest way to find out the geographic location where you live is to look it up on the internet, such as Google or Wikipedia. All you have to do is type the name of the city where you live, which begins with a geography sentence (for example: “Geography of London”), then the information will be displayed completely and clearly. You can also observe this so that the tree you want to make a bonsai can grow optimally.
Well, now that you know this information, we think you understand how important it is to know geography.
What types of trees are suitable for where I live?
As we said before, the trees that best suit your area are the ones you see in gardens near where you live. Trees that can thrive in the wild where you live are the ones that are best suited to the geography where you live and you can be sure that they will be easy to care for.
However, several types of trees are not too concerned with geography to grow. Generally, trees like this are trees that come from the lowlands and have a high tolerance for drought and hot to cool temperatures, for example, Ficus.
Now we assume you understand what this geography means, and let’s take a look at the list of trees that can be made into bonsai below.
Pine (Pinus sp.)
Pinus is the name of a genus of coniferous trees in the Pinaceae family. World Flora Online created by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and Missouri Botanical Garden accepts 187 current species names of Pinus. Meanwhile, the American Conifer Society (ACS) and the Royal Horticultural Society accept 121 species. There are currently 818 named cultivars recognized by the ACS.
Pines are generally found in the Northern Hemisphere. Pine trees are evergreen, needle-leaved and grow 1-80 meters tall, with most species reaching 15-40 meters high. The smallest specimens of Pinus are the Siberian dwarf pine (Pinus pumila) and Potosi Pinyon (Pinus culminicola), and the tallest is the 81.8-meter Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa) located in the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest in southern Oregon.
Most Pinus species are long-lived and usually reach an age of between 100 and 1,000 years, some even older.
Pine is suitable for planting as an ornamental plant in pots or directly in the ground for garden landscapes. Pine is also grown commercially specifically for Christmas trees.
Several specimens of Pinus have been used since ancient times as bonsai subjects by East Asians, particularly the Chinese and Japanese. Even some ancient relics of bonsai are still alive today.
Some of the most frequently used Pinus specimens for making bonsai include:
- Japanese Black Pine (Pinus thunbergii)
- Japanese White Pine (Pinus parviflora)
- Japanese Red Pine (Pinus densiflora)
- Chinese White Pine (Pinus armandii)
- Dwarf Mountain Pine (Pinus mugo)
Juniper (Juniperus sp.)
Juniper is the name of a genus of coniferous trees in the Cupressaceae family. Depending on taxonomy, there are between 50 and 67 species of junipers widely distributed throughout the Northern Hemisphere. The most famous juniper forests are at 4,900 m asl in southeastern Tibet and the northern Himalayas, creating one of the tallest tree habitats on earth.
Junipers vary in size and shape from shrubs, medium trees to tall trees. They are evergreen with needle-shaped leaves and are dioecious.
There are at least eight species of junipers that are more frequently used as bonsai subjects, they are:
- Chinese Juniper (Juniperus chinensis)
- Japanese Juniper (Juniperus procumbens)
- Needle Juniper (Juniperus rigida)
- Creeping Juniper (Juniperus horizontalis)
- Himalayan Juniper (Juniperus squamata)
- Common Juniper (Juniperus communis)
- Savin Juniper (Juniperus sabina)
- Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana)
Yew (Taxus sp.)
Taxus is a genus of coniferous trees such as Pinus and Juniperus known as Yew in the family Taxaceae. This tree grows relatively slowly and is long-lived, with a height of between 2-20 meters.
Yew has reddish bark, and lanceolate leaves, flat, green, and 10-40 mm long by 2-3 mm wide, arranged spirally on the stem, but with the leaf bases twisted to align the leaves in two even rows on either side of the stem.
Yew trees are all very closely related to one another, and some botanists treat all of them as widespread subspecies or varieties of one species. The species name used is Taxus baccata, the first Yew to be scientifically described. Other sources such as The Plant List recognize 9 species of Yew.
Yew is widely used in garden landscapes and as an ornamental yard tree. More than 400 Yew cultivars have been named, most of them from Taxus baccata and Taxus cuspidata. The hybrid between the two species is Taxus × media.
Hinoki Cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa)
Hinoki Cypress is a species of cypress native to central Japan and has been widely cultivated in the northern temperate hemisphere for its high-quality wood.
There are many commercially available cultivars of Chamaecyparis obtusa, some of which are specifically traded as pre-bonsai.
Apart from Chamaecyparis obtusa, the species Chamaecyparis pisifera or which is familiarly called Sawara Cypress is also cultivated because of its ornamental value.
Buddhist Pine (Podocarpus sp.)
Podocarpus is the name of a genus of evergreen conifers, usually 1 to 25 meters tall, some species are known to reach 40 meters.
In English-speaking countries, Lohansung is called Yellowwood Pine which refers to Podocarpus elatus and the name Buddhist Pine refers to Podocarpus macrophyllus.
Several Podocarpus species are cultivated as landscape complement trees and bonsai. The cultivar ‘County Park Fire’ has been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society of Garden Merit Award.
Maple (Acer sp.)
Acer is a genus of trees or shrubs commonly known as Maples. There are about 132 species, mostly native to Asia, with some also occurring in Europe, northern Africa, and North America.
Most maples are trees that grow to a height of 10-45 meters. Others are shrubs that are less than 10 meters high. Several species of maple are widely planted as ornamental trees for homes, schoolyards, office grounds, parking lots, and city parks because of their fall color, and relatively fast growth.
Maple is a popular tree for the art of bonsai, especially Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum), Trident Maple (Acer buergerianum), Amur Maple (Acer ginnala), Field Maple (Acer campestre) and Montpellier Maple (Acer monspessulanum) are maple species that respond with good reduction of leaves and branches, hence it is widely used in bonsai.
Azalea (Rhododendron sp.)
Rhododendron is a genus of flowering plants containing more than 1,000 species in the Ericaceae family. Most Rhododendron species are native to eastern Asia and the Himalayas, but some species are native to other parts of Asia, North America, Europe, and Australia.
300 species of tropical Rhododendron inhabit the Malay archipelago from Southeast Asia to Northern Australia, with 55 species known on Borneo and 164 in Papua New Guinea. The species in Papua New Guinea originates from the moist subalpine meadows at 3,000 m asl.
Rhododendron grows as a shrub or small tree which generally has a slow growth. The flowers are brightly colored and bloom from late winter to early summer.
Many species and cultivars of Rhododendron are cultivated for growing as pot houseplants, hedges, and bonsai.
In Chinese culture, Rhododendron is known as “Sixiang Shu” which means “thinking of the home bush”, and is enshrined in Du Fu’s poetry.
Higashi Village in Okinawa, Japan, has hosted an Azalea Festival annually since 1976. The village’s approximately 50,000 Azaleas attract around 60,000 to 80,000 visitors annually.
Learn more about azaleas at the Azalea Society.
Camellia (Camellia sp.)
Camellia is a species of flowering plant in the Theaceae family. There are thousands of cultivars of Camellia japonica cultivated, with many colors and flower shapes.
Camellia grows in the forest at an altitude of about 300-1000 m above sea level. Camellias are popular throughout East Asia, and are known as Cháhuā (茶花) in Mandarin, Tsubaki (椿) in Japanese, Dongbaek-kkot (동백꽃) in Korean, and Hoa trà or Hoa chè in Vietnamese.
Camellia grows as a shrub usually 2-6 meters tall, but can sometimes reach 10 meters (rarely). In the wild, camellias flower between January and March. The flowers appear along the branches, especially at the ends.
Camellias are valued for their single and semi-double or double flowers. More than 2,000 Camellia japonica cultivars have been developed with various flower colors, ranging from red, pink, and white, which sometimes have white stripes or spots.
Get to know and learn more about Camellia and its cultivars at the International Camellia Society.
Japanese Cherry (Prunus serrulata)
The Japanese cherry is a tree species native to Japan, Korea, China, and India. This is the main flower-producing tree known as “Cherry Blossom”.
This tree grows as a small tree with a dense crown reaching a height of 7-12 meters. The smooth bark is brown, with prominent horizontal lenticels.
Historically, the Japanese have developed many cultivars by selectively breeding Japanese cherry trees, which were produced by complex crosses of several wild species, and used for ornamental purposes throughout the world.
Ume (Prunus mume)
Ume or Japanese Plum or Japanese Apricot is a species of tree from the genus Prunus just like the Japanese Cherry. It is a native Chinese flora that is often planted to enjoy the beauty of its flowers or its fruit.
Prunus mume is a deciduous tree that flowers in mid-winter, usually around January to late February in East Asia.
Ume flowers are often used as objects in traditional paintings and poetry of Sinospheric countries (including China, Korea, Vietnam, and Japan), usually called Plum Blossoms.
Wisteria (Wisteria sp.)
Wisteria is a genus of flowering plants in the Fabaceae family, which includes 10 species of woody vines. It is native to China, Korea, Japan, and Eastern America. Several species have been selected as popular ornamental plants.
Two types of wisteria have been used in bonsai and ornamental trees, namely Wisteria floribunda (known as Japanese Wisteria) and Wisteria sinensis (known as Chinese Wisteria). The two can be distinguished by the way they are coiled. Wisteria floribunda coils clockwise when viewed from above, while Wisteria sinensis coils counterclockwise.
If the location is favorable, Wisteria can climb up to 20 meters high and spread up to 10 meters sideways.
Chinese Quince (Pseudocydonia sinensis)
Pseudocydonia sinensis is a deciduous or semi-evergreen tree in the Rosaceae family, native to southern and eastern China. It is the only species in the genus Pseudocydonia.
Chinese quince grows as a medium-sized tree up to 10-15 meters tall. The fruit is used in traditional Chinese medicine and as food in East Asia.
Japanese Quince (Chaenomeles japonica)
Chaenomeles japonica is a species of flowering quince native to Japan. It is a thorny leaf shrub that is commonly cultivated as an ornamental plant.
Japanese quince is famous for its colorful spring flowers, which are red, white, pink, or multicolored.
Japanese quince grows shorter than other commonly cultivated species, for example, Flowering quince (Chaenomeles speciosa), growing only about 1-2 meters tall. Japanese quince is tolerant of a wide range of soil types but does very well in calcareous soils.
The flower blooms in winter, before the leaves sprout, it blooms again in summer but with less profusion.
Winter Jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum)
Jasminum nudiflorum is a deciduous shrub native to China (Gansu, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Xizang, Yunnan). The flowers bloom right after winter, therefore it is also called Yingchun (迎春) in Chinese, which means “flower that welcomes spring”.
Winter jasmine is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant and naturalized in France and in locations throughout the United States (Texas, Oklahoma, Georgia, Tennessee, Maryland, and New Jersey).
Winter jasmine can grow to a height of 3 meters. This plant is valued by gardeners as one of the few plants that flower during the winter months.
Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea sp.)
Bougainvillea is the name of a genus of popular ornamental and beautifully flowering plants, native to eastern South America, including Brazil, Peru, and Argentina.
Bougainville itself grows as a dense shrub or small tree up to 5-7 meters high.
Bougainvilleas have long been cultivated and are now widely interbreeding among three of the eighteen native South American species recognized by botanists. There are at least more than 300 known varieties of Bougainvillea worldwide.
Orange Jasmine (Murraya paniculata)
Orange Jasmine is a species of shrub or small tree in the Rutaceae family and is native to South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Australia. This tree has white bark and smooth peeling.
Orange Jasmine is cultivated as an ornamental tree or hedge plant because of its hardiness, tolerance to drought, and various types of soil. Orange Jasmine can grow in alkaline, clay, sandy, acidic, and loamy soils. The tree flowers all year round and produces tiny, highly fragrant flowers that attract bees, while its fruit attracts fruit-eating birds.
Pomegranate (Punica granatum)
Pomegranate is a deciduous shrub that can grow up to 7 meters in height and produces fruit rich in vitamins. Pomegranate is used in cooking, juices, garnishes, smoothies, and alcoholic beverages such as cocktails and wine.
Pomegranate is thought to have originated from the Mediterranean region. But today the pomegranate is widely cultivated throughout the Middle East and Caucasus region, northern and tropical Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, Iran, Armenia, the Indian subcontinent, Central Asia, and the drier parts of Southeast Asia.
In Korea and Japan, pomegranate is widely planted (especially cold-resistant cultivars) to be developed as a fruit-producing tree that can be harvested. Japanese bonsai artists make extensive use of pomegranate trees as bonsai subjects because of the attractive flowers and unusual bark that old pomegranate trees can achieve.
The pomegranate is also known as one of the trees that have been used by humans since the Bronze Age, at least 3300 BC.
Persimmon (Diospyros sp.)
Persimmon is the edible fruit of several tree species in the genus Diospyros, the most widely cultivated being the Chinese persimmon (Diospyros kaki). Diospyros belongs to the family Ebenaceae, and many non-persimmon species of the genus Diospyros are grown for its valuable wood.
Persimmons were first cultivated in China more than 2,000 years ago and were introduced to Japan in the 7th century, and to Korea in the 14th century. Currently, China, Japan, and South Korea are the top persimmon producers in the world.
Many cultivars of persimmon have been selected for cultivation as a producer of fruit and wood.
In Indonesia, which has a tropical climate, at least two species of Diospyros are used in bonsai, namely Black Ebony (Diospyros ferrea) and Bombay Ebony (Diospyros montana). In temperate climates, more Chinese Persimmon and Princess Persimmon (Diospyros rhombifolia) are used because of the beautiful color of the bark and fruit.
Pear (Pyrus sp.)
Pears are a fruit that is produced and consumed worldwide, growing on trees, and harvested in the Northern Hemisphere from late summer through October.
The pear grows as a medium-sized tree which is a species of the genus Pyrus, in the Rosaceae family. Some pear species are valued for their edible fruit, while others are cultivated as ornamental trees for their flowers.
The pear tree is native to temperate coastal areas of Europe, North Africa, and Asia. Pear wood is one of the highest-quality woods and is often used in the manufacture of woodwind instruments and furniture.
Apple (Malus sp.)
Malus is the name of a plant genus consisting of about 40-55 species of trees and shrubs in the Rosaceae family, most of which are referred to as Crabapple, especially Malus sylvestris.
Malus is popular as an ornamental tree that produces flowers in spring and colorful fruit in autumn. The fruit often lasts all winter. Many hybrid cultivars have been selected for cultivation.
Because of the abundance of flowers and fruit, apples are often used for making bonsai.
Magnolia (Magnolia sp.)
Magnolia is a genus containing about 210 to 340 species of flowering plants in the subfamily Magnolioideae of the family Magnoliaceae.
Magnolia is an ancient genus of plants. Fossil specimens of Magnolia acuminata have been found dating to 20 million years ago, and plant fossils identified as being from Magnoliaceae date back 95 million years.
Magnolia’s natural habitat is a discrete distribution, with primary centers in East and Southeast Asia and secondary centers in eastern North America, Central America, West Indies, and some species in South America.
The bark and flower buds of Magnolia officinalis have long been used in traditional Chinese medicine, where it is known as Hou Po (厚朴). In Japan, Kōboku, Magnolia obovata, has been used similarly. In Indonesia, Magnolia champaca is believed to be closely related to magical things.
Learn more about Magnolias at the Magnolia Society.
Snowbell (Styrax sp.)
Styrax is a genus of plants containing about 130 species of shrubs or small trees in the family Styracaceae, most of which are native to the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, with a majority in East and Southeast Asia, but also across the equator in South America.
The snowbell tree can grow 2-15 meters tall. The resin obtained from Styrax is called Benzoin or Storax.
Since ancient times, Styrax has been used in the manufacture of perfumes, certain types of incense, and medicines.
The best Styrax in the world is produced from the Styrax benzoin tree which comes from the mountains of Sumatra, Indonesia.
Several species of Styrax are popular ornamental trees, especially Styrax japonicus and its cultivars such as ‘Emerald Pagoda’ and Styrax obassia.
Olive (Olea sp.)
Olea is the name of a genus of plants consisting of about 40 species in the family Oleaceae, native to the warm and tropical climates of the Middle East, southern Europe, Africa, southern Asia, and Australasia. Olive is a medium-sized evergreen tree, with small, silver-green leaves.
For humans, the most important and familiar species by far is the Olea europaea, which is native to the Mediterranean, African, southwest Asian, and Himalayan regions. The native olive is the Olea paniculata, which is a large tree up to 18 meters tall in Queensland forests and produces a hard, durable wood.
Boxwood (Buxus sp.)
Boxwood is a species of flowering plant native to the southeast coast of China, from Hong Kong and other Guangdong islands to Hainan, and on to Vietnam.
In its native habitat, Boxwood grows on riverbanks or in forests and has not been introduced or cultivated artificially. This species is now more frequently used as a bonsai subject.
Chinese Sweet Plum (Sageretia theezans)
Sageretia theezans is a shrub in the family Rhamnaceae, which is native to southern China. This tree is widely used to make bonsai.
Chinese sweet plum can grow up to 3 meters tall and has small green leaves 1.5-4 cm long, with leathery, colorful stems. It is evergreen and has inconspicuously small flowers. The fruit is a small edible drupe up to 1 cm in diameter.
Chinese Hackberry (Celtis sinensis)
Celtis sinensis is a species of flowering plant in the Cannabaceae family, native to the mountain slopes of East Asia. This tree can grow up to 20 meters tall with deciduous leaves and gray bark.
Celtis sinensis is used in classic East Asian-style garden designs.
Chinese Elm (Ulmus parvifolia)
Chinese elm is a plant species native to East Asia, including China, Japan, and Korea. It has been described as “one of the most beautiful of the elms, possessing the serenity of the graceful Nothophagus”.
Ulmus parvifolia grows as a small to medium tree up to 15 meters tall. The leaves are leathery, shiny green, and toothed, with leaf blades 2-5 cm long and 1-3 cm wide.
Chinese elm is a landscape tree that is hardy enough for use in harsh planting situations such as parking lots, on the side of highways, and in town squares. This tree is arguably the most ubiquitous of the elms, now found on all continents except Antarctica.
This Chinese elm is widely cultivated for ornamental plants and bonsai in Japan.
Japanese Elm (Zelkova serrata)
The Japanese elm, called Keyaki (欅), is a species of the genus Zelkova native to Japan, Korea, eastern China, and Taiwan. This tree is often used as an ornamental tree and is used in bonsai.
Japanese elm has two varieties, Zelkova serrata var. serrata in Japan and mainland east Asia, and Zelkova serrata var. tarokoensis in Taiwan which differs in its smaller leaves with less deep serrations at the edges.
Zelkova serrata is a medium-sized deciduous tree that usually grows up to 30 meters in height. This tree grows rapidly when young although its growth rate slows as it matures.
Japanese elm requires full to partial sun and prefers moist, well-drained soil. Fertilizers rich in potassium and nitrogen promote new vegetation and flower buds. It is adaptable and tolerant of heat, little water, nutrient-poor soil, and a wide range of soil pH.
This tree is often planted beside pavilions and serves as a shady informal gathering place and space for traditional ceremonies and prayers.
Beech (Fagus sp.)
Fagus is a genus of deciduous trees belonging to the Fagaceae family. It is a plant native to Europe, Asia, and North America.
European beech (Fagus sylvatica) is the most commonly cultivated, although some important differences are visible between species other than detailed elements such as leaf shape.
Beech can grow in a variety of soil types, acidic or alkaline, as long as it is not waterlogged. The beech tree canopy is very dense, so it provides shade beneath.
Hornbeam (Carpinus sp.)
Hornbeam is a hard woody tree in the genus Carpinus of the Betulaceae family. There are 30-40 species found in most of the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere.
Hornbeam is a small to medium-sized tree, Carpinus betulus reaching a height of 30 meters. The leaves are deciduous, alternate, and simple with serrated edges, and usually vary from 3 to 10 cm in length.
Because of its very hard wood, hornbeam is also often referred to as “Iron Wood”.
Dogwood (Cornus sp.)
Cornus is a genus of plants consisting of about 30-60 species of woody trees in the family Cornaceae, commonly known as Dogwood. Most Cornus species are deciduous trees or shrubs.
Dogwood has simple, toothless leaves with veins characteristically curving as they approach the edge of the leaf.
Dogwood is widely grown as an ornamental tree and a complement to the landscape.
Smoketree (Cotinus sp.)
Smoketree or Smoke bush is a genus of seven species of flowering plants in the family Anacardiaceae. This plant grows as a large shrub or small tree, native to the warm climate of the Northern Hemisphere.
Smoketree, especially Cotinus coggygria, is a popular garden shrub. Several cultivars of Cotinus coggygria with bronze or purple leaves have been selected, with warm pink inflorescences set against purple-black foliage, the most common in trade being ‘Notcutt’s Variety’ and ‘Royal Purple’.
Smoketree planting does best in dry, infertile soil, which makes for a more compact growing habit and also enhances fall color.
Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia)
Kalmia latifolia is a species of flowering tree in the heath family Ericaceae, native to the eastern United States. Its range extends from southern Maine south to northern Florida, and west to Indiana and Louisiana.
Mountain laurel can grow 7-9 meters tall. The flowers are hexagonal, sometimes pentagonal in appearance, ranging from pink to white, and appear in clusters. Some cultivars of Kalmia latifolia have darker shades of pink, red, and maroon. It blooms in May and June.
Firethorn (Pyracantha sp.)
Firethorn is a genus of large thorny shrubs in the Rosaceae family. Firethorn originates from an area that stretches from Southwestern Europe to Southeast Asia. Pyracantha is similar to Cotoneaster, but has serrated leaf edges and lots of spines, while Cotoneaster is spineless.
Firethorn is a valuable ornamental plant because its flowers and fruit often appear together to fill the tree canopy. Firethorn is also a good plant for the wildlife garden, providing a home for nesting birds and abundant fruit as a food source.
Brazilian Raintree (Chloroleucon tortum)
The Brazilian Raintree is a flowering plant endemic to Brazil and Paraguay. This tree can grow up to 7-8 meters tall with many branches, a sinuous trunk, and scaly bark with striking colors.
The Brazilian Raintree is a very beautiful tree that is often traded as an ornamental garden tree and bonsai.
Weeping Willow (Salix babylonica)
The Weeping Willow or Liang Liu is a species of willow tree native to the arid regions of northern China, but has been cultivated for thousands of years elsewhere in Asia, and traded along the Silk Road to southwest Asia and Europe.
The Weeping Willow is a medium-sized deciduous tree that grows up to 20 meters tall. It has fast growth, but a short lifespan, it is estimated that this tree only lives between 40-75 years.
The Weeping Willow, particularly its pendulous (“weeping”) form has been introduced to many other areas as a landscape and garden tree.
Sea Pine (Casuarina equisetifolia)
The Sea Pine is a species of coniferous tree native to Southeast Asia, Northern Australia, and the Pacific Islands. This tree is evergreen and can grow up to 30 meters high.
Like several other species of the genus Casuarina, it also includes actinorhizal plants that are capable of fixing atmospheric nitrogen.
Sea Pine is widely used as a subject for bonsai, particularly in Asia and parts of the Caribbean. Indonesian specimens and those cultivated in Taiwan are considered the best for bonsai.
There are two species of Casuarina used in bonsai, namely Sea Pine or Whistling Pine (Casuarina equisetifolia) and Mountain Pine or Mountain Ru (Casuarina junghuhniana).
Gum Trees (Eucalyptus sp.)
Eucalyptus is a genus of trees containing about 700 species, mostly native to Australia, with some from New Guinea, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Most Eucalyptus can not stand cold temperatures, they can only tolerate temperatures around -3 °C to -5 °C.
Eucalyptus is prized for its essential oil which contains strong natural disinfectant compounds and can be toxic in large quantities. Some marsupial herbivores, especially koalas and some opossums, are tolerant to the oil so they can eat the leaves.
Some Eucalyptus species have the property of dropping branches. Eucalyptus forest full of dead branches. Ghost Gum (Eucalyptus papuana) causes many loggers to die because their branches fall on them. And many people also died because they camped under this tree.
Tea Tree (Melaleuca sp.)
Melaleuca is a genus of plants consisting of about 300 species in the Myrtaceae family, commonly known as Gelam, Cajeput, Paper Bark, White Wood, White Tree, and Tea Tree. The size of the trees ranges from small shrubs growing less than 10 meters to large trees up to 45 meters tall.
Most of the Melaleuca are endemic to Australia, many of their species being important food sources for nectar-feeding insects, birds, and mammals. Melaleuca is cultivated and often grown as an ornamental garden tree.
Silverberry (Elaeagnus sp.)
Silverberry or Oleaster is a shrub that grows up to 4 meters high. It has alternate pinnate compound leaves. Mature trees produce bright red, mottled berries about the size of a grapefruit or about 0.75 cm in diameter. The ripe fruit is edible, the taste is sweet and slightly sour.
Silverberry is widespread from Southeast Asia to the slopes of the Himalayas. They usually inhabit swamps and riverbank scrub. This tree is often found growing in moist soil at any pH value and also adapts well to drier soils.
Outside of its natural habitat, silverberry is cultivated as an ornamental tree in yards and gardens. Some bonsai artists use this tree as their bonsai subject.
Asiatic Jasmine (Trachelospermum asiaticum)
Trachelospermum asiaticum is a species of flowering plant in the Apocynaceae family native to India, China, Japan, Korea, Indochina, and Malaysia. The flowers resemble stars, so it is also called the Yellow Star Jasmine or the Asian Star Jasmine.
Asiatic jasmine is a fast-growing evergreen vine often used to cover fences, walls, and similar surfaces. This plant is heat and cold-resistant, it can even grow in shady areas.
Trachelospermum asiaticum has been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.
Chinese Fringe Flower (Loropetalum chinense)
The Chinese Fringe Flower is a tree that originates from China and has many varieties which can be distinguished by the color of the leaves, the shape of the leaves, and the shape of the flowers.
This tree, which can grow up to 7 meters tall, does best in rich, slightly acidic soil in full sun all day. Although it is better suited to hotter climates, the Chinese fringe flower tree can also survive temperatures of -15 °C.
Chinese fringe flower is a popular ornamental tree and its roots are used in traditional Chinese medicine.
Guava (Psidium guajava)
Guava is a small tree that is native to the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. This tree is widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. Various cultivars have white, pink, and red flesh, some varieties have a red tint to the fruit skin and leaves.
Guava has been used in traditional medicine by many cultures throughout Central America, the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia. The tree parts are used to treat inflammation, diarrhea, fever, caries, ulcers, wounds, pain relievers, rheumatism, hypertension, diabetes, and the lungs.
Guava is also used in various shampoo products because of its aroma.
Kumquat (Citrus sp.)
Kumquat or Mandarin Tangerines (金桔) are a group of small fruit-producing trees in the Rutaceae family. The species Citrus japonica represents many kumquat species and cultivars.
Kumquats grow as a shrub or small tree up to 2-4 meters tall, with dense branches, sometimes bearing small thorns. The leaves are glossy dark green, and the flowers are white, similar to other orange blossoms, and may grow singly or in clusters in the leaf axils. A mature kumquat tree can produce hundreds or even thousands of fruits each year.
The kumquat fruit is edible and very similar in color and shape to the common orange (Citrus sinensis) but much smaller in size. Kumquat is a cold-resistant citrus.
Kumquats originate from Southern China. Historical references to the kumquat appear in Imperial literature from at least the 12th century. Kumquats have long been cultivated in other parts of East Asia (Japan and Taiwan), South Asia (India), and Southeast Asia (Philippines).
In cultivation in England, Citrus japonica received the Royal Horticultural Society of Garden Merit Award in 2017.
Fuchsia (Fuchsia sp.)
Fuchsia is a genus of flowering plants consisting mainly of shrubs or small trees 0.2 to 4 meters tall. There are 110 recognized species of Fuchsia, most of which are native to South America, but some from northern Central America to Mexico, and New Zealand to Tahiti.
The fuchsia flower is very decorative, has a pendulous drop shape, and appears abundantly in summer and autumn, and all year round in tropical species.
Fukien Tea (Ehretia microphylla)
Fukien tea is a shrub that grows 4-5 meters tall, with long, drooping, and slender branches. The leaves can vary in size, texture, color, and margins. Fukien tea leaves fall during the dry season.
Fukien tea is widespread in East and Southeast Asia, from India, Indochina, southern China, and Japan, through Malesia, including the Australian region of Christmas Island, reaching New Guinea, mainland Australia on the Cape York Peninsula, to the Solomon Islands.
Siamese Rough Bush (Streblus asper)
Siamese rough bush is a medium-sized tree native to the dry areas of Indonesia, Cambodia, Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Vietnam.
In the Philippines, the Siamese rough bush tree is known as Kalyos, in Cambodia it is known as Snay, and in Malaysia it is known as Kesinai.
The Siamese rough bush tree has many uses, including in papermaking in Thailand which has been going on for 700 years. Almost all of Thailand’s ancient documents (including Buddhist texts and official records) are written on the bark of this tree.
The bark of the Siamese rough bush proves to be weather resistant even in the humid tropical climate, it is also non-flammable and resistant to insects. Currently, paper made from the bark of the Siamese rough bush tree is only used by craftsmen who produce paper using traditional techniques.
In Vietnam, the leaves of the Siamese rough bush are used as a natural abrasive for wood polishing or carving using traditional techniques.
Banyan (Ficus sp.)
Banyan is the common name for all types of trees from the genus Ficus. There are hundreds of species of Ficus and dozens of them are used in bonsai, some of which include:
- Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina)
- Chinese Banyan (Ficus microcarpa)
- Tiger Bark (Ficus microcarpa ‘Kinmen’)
- Greenisland (Ficus microcarpa var. latifolia)
- Longinsland (Ficus microcarpa var. crassifolia)
- White Sandpaper (Ficus tinctoria ssp. gibbosa)
- Black Sandpaper (Ficus sandpaper)
- Cluster Fig (Ficus racemosa)
- Rumph’s Fig (Ficus rumphii)
- Bodhi (Ficus religiosa)
- …and others
Sea Hibiscus (Hibiscus tiliaceus)
Sea hibiscus is a medium-sized flowering tree species with a height of 7-8 meters. Sea hibiscus is easy to find in tropical areas, especially on coasts around the world.
In the morning and afternoon, the sea hibiscus flowers are initially yellow with a dark red center when open. Towards evening, the color of the flowers turns orange and finally red and then falls.
The sea hibiscus tree is widely used in Southeast Asian countries as a subject for bonsai, due to its fast-shrinking leaves and dense branching.
Premna (Premna serratifolia)
Premna is a small tree or shrub that can grow up to 7-8 meters tall. Most of these trees grow in moist sandy soil and scrub along beaches and mangroves.
The characteristics of Premna tree are very suitable for bonsai because the leaves can shrink drastically, the growth is fast, the trunk is crooked and the white bark depicts an old tree.
Pemphis (Pemphis acidula)
Pemphis is a tree that grows in the form of a bush on the seashore. This tree can be found in tropical coastal areas on the island of Java, Indonesia. Pemphis grows in sandy, calcareous soils, and often between rocks.
Pemphis trees need seawater and full sun all day for optimal growth.
Ujung Atap (Baeckea frutescens)
Ujung atap is a small tree that can grow up to 6 meters high. The wood is strong, durable, and dark red in color. The wood of this tree is used by local people to make fences and tool handles. The extract is also used in herbs, especially the leaves and wood powder.
Ujung atap is widely distributed from South China to Australia and can be found in savannas up to 1,000 m asl.
Water Jasmine (Wrightia religiosa)
Water jasmine is a species of flowering tree in the Apocynaceae family, native to Indochina and Malesia.
This tree is commonly a domesticated plant, especially bonsai, and is often planted near sacred sites in Indochina.
Tamarind (Tamarindus indica)
Tamarind is a long-lived tree up to 20 meters tall, which produces fruit used in spices and traditional medicine. The leaves are used as fresh vegetables and the wood is used for woodworking.
The tamarind tree is thought to have originated in tropical Africa but has long been cultivated on the Indian subcontinent and it is sometimes reported to have originated there. The Tamarindus genus is monotypic, meaning that it only consists of this species.
Rosemary (Salvia sp.)
Salvia is the largest genus of plants in the Lamiaceae family, with nearly 1,000 species of shrubs, herbs, and annuals. Within the Lamiaceae, Salvia is part of the tribe Mentheae in the subfamily Nepetoideae. One of several genera commonly called Sage, it includes two widely used herbs, namely Sage (Salvia officinalis) and Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus).
Salvia is distributed in three different areas of diversity, including Central and South America (about 600 species), Central Asia and the Mediterranean (250 species), and East Asia (90 species).
Many species of Salvia are used as herbs, ornamentals, and sometimes for their aroma.
Rose (Rosa sp.)
Roses are thorny herbaceous plants, the flowers are fragrant and beautifully colored. There are over 100 species, most of them growing in the cool northern hemisphere. This species is generally a thorny shrub or climbing plant that can reach 2-5 meters in height. Although rarely encountered, the height of climbing rose plants in the best environments can reach 20 meters.
Most species of roses produce red flowers with a few exceptions such as Rosa pimpinellifolia which produces dark purple to black flowers.
The species Rosa canina and Rosa rugosa produce flowers that are very rich in vitamin C and are even among the richest sources of natural vitamin C.
Rose is a horticultural commodity that has high economic value and is in great demand by consumers and can be cultivated commercially.
Potentilla (Potentilla sp.)
Potentilla is a genus of about 300 species of annual, biennial, and perennial flowering herb plants in the Rosaceae family. Potentilla are commonly found throughout the northern continent (Holarktika), although some occur in the mountainous biome of the New Guinea Highlands.
Several species of Potentilla are grown as ornamental plants, generally with bright and showy flowers, such as Potentilla aurea, Potentilla atrosanguinea, Potentilla nepalensis, and Potentilla recta.
Several species of Potentilla are also used in herbal medicine. For example, Potentilla erecta has been used as a herbal medicine to treat inflammation and digestive disorders. Potentilla discolor and Potentilla multifida is two species of Potentilla used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat diabetes. Research continues to be carried out to determine the usefulness of Potentilla as a medicinal ingredient.
Snowrose (Serissa japonica)
Serissa is a genus of flowering plants in the Rubiaceae family, consisting of only one species, Serissa japonica. This plant comes from subtropical forests and wet grasslands in Southeast Asia, especially India, China, and Japan.
Serissa japonica is also known as Snowrose, Snowrose, Thousand Stars, and Japanese Boxthorn.
Snowrose grows as a shrub up to 60 cm tall with oblong, green leaves that smell bad when crushed. It flowers most of the year, especially in early spring to late fall.
Snowrose is one of the most common bonsai specimens in Asia, America, and Europe because it is easy to maintain and suitable for beginners.
Fern-leaf Box (Osteomeles subrotunda)
Osteomeles subrotunda is a species of shrub native to China and the Ryukyu islands of Japan. This tree produces sweet fruit that can be eaten fresh.
Fern-leaf Box is cultivated only for bonsai because of its small leaves and broad branches, it is also sometimes grown as a potted houseplant.
Holly (Ilex sp.)
Ilex is a genus of more than 570 species of flowering plants in the family Aquifoliaceae, and the only living genus in the family.
Ilex has the most species of the woody dioecious angiosperm genus. The species are evergreen or deciduous trees, shrubs, and climbers from tropical to temperate zones worldwide.
Often tropical species are seriously threatened by habitat destruction and overexploitation. At least two species of Ilex have become extinct recently, and many others are barely surviving.
Many species of holly are used as houseplants in temperate gardens and yards, especially:
- European Holly (Ilex aquifolium)
- Box-leaved holly (Ilex crenata)
- Winterberry (Ilex verticillata)
Common Myrtle (Myrtus communis)
Myrtus communis is a species of flowering plant in the Myrtaceae family. It is a shrub native to southern Europe, North Africa, West Asia, Macaronesia, and the Indian Subcontinent, where it has been cultivated as an ornamental plant.
This plant grows as a shrub or small tree up to 5 meters high. The leaves are 2-5 cm long, with a fragrant essential oil.
Common myrtle is widely known as a medicine and was used from at least 600 BC. Symbolically and ritually important in ancient times, this plant was used to represent honor, justice, prosperity, generosity, hope, love, and happiness.
In Europe during the Renaissance, the common myrtle became best known as a symbol of love, leading to a continued tradition of the flower as part of wedding bouquets.
Ming Tree (Terminalia molinetii)
Ming tree or Bucida spinosa is a shrub or small tree up to 7 meters high, native to Florida.
Ming trees are slow growing and prefer full sun exposure with more frequent fertilization.
This tree has a zigzag branching pattern, making it suitable for planting as a landscape and garden tree.
Jade (Portulacaria afra)
Portulacaria afra is a succulent plant that generally has reddish stems and green leaves, but variegata cultivars are also frequently seen in cultivation.
Jade is easy to care for and makes an easy houseplant for sunny locations. In frost-free areas, jade can be grown outdoors.
Jade is an erect, semi-evergreen, softwood shrub or small tree, usually 2–4 meters tall. Sometimes jade is confused with the Jade Plant (Crassula ovata).
Jade is widespread in eastern South Africa, it tends to favor drier rocky outcrops and slopes.
Sweet Gum (Liquidambar sp.)
Liquidambar is the only plant genus in the family Altingiaceae and has 15 species. Liquidambar was previously in the Hamamelidaceae family.
Liquidambar grows as a large deciduous tree that is between 25-40 meters tall. Liquidambar is native to Southeast and East Asia, the Eastern Mediterranean, and Eastern North America. The tree is very decorative with bright autumn leaves. Hence, this tree is cultivated for ornamental purposes.
Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina)
Rhus typhina is a species of flowering plant in the family Anacardiaceae, native to eastern North America. It is primarily found in southeastern Canada, the northeastern and midwestern United States, and the Appalachian Mountains, but is widely cultivated as an ornamental throughout the temperate world.
Staghorn Sumac is a dioecious, deciduous shrub or small tree that grows up to 5 meters tall by 6 meters wide. Staghorn sumac can grow in a variety of conditions but is most often found in dry soil where other plants cannot survive.
Many cultivars of Rhus typhina have been developed for garden use, two of which have been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit:
- Rhus typhina ‘Dissecta’
- Rhus typhina ‘Sinrus’
Neea (Neea buxifolia)
Neea buxifolia is a species of flowering plant in the genus Neea in the family Nyctaginaceae, native to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. This species is quite commonly used in bonsai because it has small, dense leaves.
Jabuticaba (Plinia cauliflora)
Jabuticaba or Brazilian Grapetree is a fruiting tree that is native to Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais, Goiás, and São Paulo in Brazil. The fruit is purplish black, white flesh, and grows on the trunk of the tree. The fruit can be consumed fresh or processed to make jellies, jams, juices, and wine.
Jabuticaba is fairly adaptable to a wide variety of growing conditions, tolerating sand or nutrient-rich topsoil. However, it is not tolerant of salty soil or seawater. It is also tolerant of mild drought, although fruit production may be reduced.
In commercial cultivation, grafted jabuticaba bears fruit in 5 years, whereas trees grown from seeds produce fruit only after 10 to 20 years.
Barbados Cherry (Malpighia emarginata)
The Barbados cherry is a fruit-bearing shrub or small tree, native to the Yucatán, and can be found in Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, South America southern Peru, and Colombia.
Currently, the Barbados cherry is cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions around the world, such as in the Canary Islands, Ghana, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Zanzibar, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, India, Indonesia, Hawaii, and Australia.
The Barbados cherry is a popular bonsai subject because of its showy fruit and dense branching.
Other species of the Malpighia genus that are also used in bonsai are Acerola (Malpighia glabra) and Singapore Holly (Malpighia coccigera).
Surinam Cherry (Eugenia uniflora)
Surinam cherry is a species of Eugenia uniflora in the family Myrtaceae, native to the tropical east coast of South America, from Suriname, Guyana, France, southern Brazil, as well as Uruguay and parts of Paraguay and Argentina.
The Surinam cherry tree was introduced to Bermuda for ornamental purposes but is now out of control and listed as an invasive species. This tree has also been introduced to Florida and some other tropical areas as an ornamental yard tree.
Surinam cherry fruit that has a black or purple color can be eaten fresh and tastes sweet (depending on the cultivar and level of ripeness).
Limeberry (Triphasia trifolia)
Limeberry are native to tropical Southeast Asia, especially on the islands of Indonesia and the Philippines. This is one of the most commonly used species of bonsai in Indonesia because of its high drought tolerance and easy maintenance.
Limeberry grows as a thorny shrub up to 2-3 meters high. The leaves are trifoliate, glossy green, leaflets 2-4 cm long and 1.5-2 cm wide. The flowers are white, with three petals 10-13 mm long and 4 mm wide. The fruit is red, and 10-15 mm in diameter which is edible when ripe.
Natal Plum (Carissa macrocarpa)
Carissa macrocarpa is a slow-growing shrub species native to coastal areas of South Africa. This tree is well adapted to salt water, making it a great choice for coastal areas.
Natal Plum has rather thick green leaves and fragrant white flowers. The flowers bloom for months, especially in summer. The fruit is round and green when young and turns red when ripe. In coastal areas, the fruit appears all year round.
Natal Plum requires a warm and humid environment. It tolerates full sun and shade.
Chinese Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba)
Chinese jujube or Chinese date can be found in southern Asia, between Lebanon, Iran, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, the Korean peninsula, south and central China, and also southeastern Europe. Its exact natural distribution is uncertain due to widespread cultivation since ancient times, but its origin is thought to be in South Asia.
Chinese jujube was domesticated in South Asia in 9000 BC. More than 400 cultivars have been selected for ornamental and fruiting cultivation.
It is an undersized deciduous tree reaching 5-8 meters in height, with thorny branches. The fruit is edible, it measures 1.5-3 cm, and when immature it is smooth green, with an apple flavor, then dark brown to purplish-black when ripe, and finally wrinkled, looking like dates. Each fruit contains two seeds.
Chinese jujube fruit and seeds are used in traditional Chinese and Korean medicine to treat various ailments.
Chinese jujube has been introduced in Madagascar and is spreading as an invasive species in the western part of the island. In eastern Bulgaria, Chinese jujube grows wild but is also planted in parks and yards.
Vietnamese Blue Bell (Trifidacanthus unifoliolatus)
This species was formerly in the genus Desmodium but has now been moved to the genus Trifidacanthus. It is a very popular flowering shrub used as a bonsai in Vietnam and Thailand, and several countries in Southeast Asia.
Apart from its ornamental uses, the Vietnamese blue bell is also an herbal plant used in traditional medicine.
Crepe Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica)
Crepe Myrtle is a species of flowering tree native to the Indian Subcontinent, Southeast Asia, China, Korea, and Japan. This is one of the trees with flowers similar to Japanese cherries. Therefore, this tree is widely planted as an ornamental tree on the roadside, parks, yards, and bonsai.
It grows as a shrub or small tree to 2-3 m tall, deciduous, multi-stemmed, with an open, spreading habit.
In the United Kingdom, Lagerstroemia indica has been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.
Powder Puff (Calliandra sp.)
Powder Puff is a genus of flowering plants containing about 140 species native to tropical and subtropical regions of America.
The genus Calliandra comprises annual, shrubby, and rare herbaceous plants that grow as tall trees. The average Calliandra species only grows 1-6 meters high. The flowers are globose and have many long, slender stamens.
Calliandra flowers year-round, but the best bloom times are in spring and summer.
Ixora (Ixora chinensis)
Ixora is a slow-growing shrub species, it can reach 2 meters in height in optimal locations. Ixora can be found in shrubs, scattered in the forest at an altitude of 200-800 m asl in China (Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi), Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
Ixora is now widely cultivated in the tropics as an ornamental plant and a hedge plant.
Although often referred to as Ashoka, Ixora is very different from the original Asoka which is a member of the genus Saraca. The most obvious difference is seen in the size of the leaves and the posture of the tree.
Yellow Mai (Ochna integerrima)
Ochna integerrima is a species of yellow-flowered tree in the Ochnaceae family. In the wild, it grows as a small tree or shrub from 2-7 meters tall. This tree is very popular in southern Vietnam, where it is often made into bonsai.
In Vietnam, the Ochna integerrima variety whose flowers have five petals is called Mai Vàng, while the wild tree is called Mai Núi, which has between five and nine petals.
Yellow mai is difficult to grow and also difficult to care for. Farmers prefer to cultivate this tree from seeds rather than cuttings or grafts.
If planted in a pot to produce beautiful flowers, pay attention to fertilizing, cutting branches, and changing the soil every year.
Gardenia (Gardenia sp.)
Gardenia is a flowering shrub in the Rubiaceae family, which is native to Southeast Asia. Gardenia can grow between 30 cm to 2 meters. The flowers are white and have a matte texture, in contrast to the glossy leaves. The size of the flowers can be very large, up to 10 cm in diameter.
Gardenias were cultivated in China since the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD), where the shape of the flower has been depicted in paintings, such as those of the Song Emperor Huizong.
Currently, many gardenia cultivars have been developed, in variants of flower shapes.
Carambola (Averrhoa carambola)
Carambola is a species of fruiting tree in the Oxalidaceae family that is native to tropical Southeast Asia. Carambola trees can grow up to 8 meters in optimal locations. The flowers are small, bell-shaped, clustered, and red-purple.
Carambola trees are cultivated in many places for the fruit which has a sweet-sour taste and can be eaten fresh or processed into juices and jellies.
Apart from being planted for its fruit, the carambola is also planted as a shade tree in yards because of its dense leaves that make the area underneath cool.
Grape (Vitis sp.)
Grape is the common name used to refer to species of the genus Vitis, which comprises about 79 species of vines in the family Vitaceae. This genus plays an important role economically because the fruit is the main ingredient in making wine.
The vine itself originates from Armenia, but grape cultivation has been practiced in the Middle East since 4000 BC. While the technology of processing grapes into wine was first developed by the Egyptians in 2500 BC.
Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)
Ginkgo biloba is the only surviving species of the division Ginkgophyta, all other species are extinct. It is native to China, but now the ginkgo tree has been widely cultivated in suitable temperate regions.
The ginkgo tree contains many bioactive compounds such as terpenoids, flavonoids, biflavonoids, organic acids, and polyphenols. It is also used in traditional Chinese medicine compositions for the treatment of Asthma, Bronchitis, Tuberculosis, Cognitive Dysfunction, and Stomach Diseases.
Tsugi (Cryptomeria sp.)
Tsugi or Cedar is a genus of monotypic conifers in the Cupressaceae family. This genus includes only one species, namely Cryptomeria japonica. People used to think this was a tree endemic to Japan, known as Sugi/Tsugi.
Cryptomeria is a very large evergreen tree, reaching 70 meters in height with a trunk up to 4 meters in diameter. The bark is red-brown which peels off in vertical stripes.
Fir (Abies sp.)
Fir is a conifer plant from the genus Abies which consists of 48-56 species. This tree is found in mountains in North America, Central America, Europe, Asia, and North Africa.
The genus Abies is still closely related to the genus Cedrus or Cedars.
Fir grows into a large tree with a height of 70-80 meters and a trunk diameter of up to 4 meters when mature.
Larch (Larix sp.)
Larch, popularly known as European Larch, is a species of conifer tree native to the mountains of central Europe, including the Alps, Carpathian Mountains, and the Pyrenees Mountains. Its wild population occupies the lowlands of northern Poland and southern Lithuania.
Larch is one of the dominant plants in the boreal forests of Siberia and Canada. Despite being a conifer, Larch is a deciduous tree that loses its leaves in autumn.
Arborvitaes (Thuja sp.)
Thuja is the name of a genus of conifer trees that has five species, two of which are native to North America and three of which are native to eastern Asia.
This tree grows as a medium to large tree up to 50-60 meters tall, with a reddish-brown textured, fibrous bark.
Thuja is widely grown as an ornamental tree and is widely used as a hedge tree. Several cultivars are grown and used in the landscape.
Hemlock (Tsuga sp.)
Tsuga is a genus of conifers in the subfamily Abietoideae of Pinaceae, the Pinus family. The genus contains 8-10 species, with four species in North America and four to six in East Asia.
Hemlock grows as a medium to large tree, ranging from 10-60 meters tall, with a conical to irregular crown. The bark is scaly and generally deeply wrinkled, ranging in color from gray to brown.
All hemlock species are well adapted to relatively moist, cool areas with high rainfall, cool summers, and little or no water stress. They also tolerate heavy to very heavy winter snowfall and withstand frost storms better than most other trees.
Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga sp.)
Pseudotsuga is a genus of evergreen conifers in the family Pinaceae, subfamily Laricoideae. Douglas fir is widespread in western North America and is an important source of wood. The number of species has long been debated, but two are in western North America and two to four in East Asia.
Douglas fir is sometimes classified under Pinus, Picea, Abies, Tsuga, and even Sequoia. Because of its characteristic cones, Douglas fir was eventually placed in the new genus Pseudotsuga (meaning “false hemlock”).
Douglas fir is a medium to very large tree, 20-120 meters tall (although only Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii reaches over 100 meters).
Redwood (Sequoia sp.)
Sequoia is a genus of coniferous trees in the subfamily Sequoioideae of the Cupressaceae family. The sole extant species of the genus is Sequoia sempervirens in the coastal forest ecoregions of Northern California and Southwestern Oregon. Two other genera in the subfamily Sequoioideae, Sequoiadendron and Metasequoia, are closely related to Sequoia. It includes the tallest and heaviest trees in the world.
The earliest sequoias are in Europe, parts of China, and western North America. Several species of Sequoia have become extinct, such as Sequoia affinis, Sequoia chinensis, Sequoia langsdorfii, Sequoia dakotensis, and Sequoia magnifica.
Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia sp.)
Metasequoia is a genus of fast-growing deciduous trees, one of three species of conifers known as redwoods. The species Metasequoia glyptostroboides is native to the Lichuan area of Hubei province, China. Although it is classified as the shortest redwood tree, it is about 50 meters tall.
Dawn redwoods can sometimes overgrow in smaller gardens under favorable conditions, but they can be a good choice for a variety of larger gardens and parks. Although dawn redwoods live in the wet places of their natural habitat, they will also tolerate dry soil.
Cypress (Cupressus sp.)
Cupressus is one of several genera of evergreen conifers in the Cupressaceae family that share the common name Cypress. It is considered a polyphyletic group.
Cypress is a medium-sized tree or large shrub from 5-40 meters tall. The leaves are needle-like and 5-15 mm long. Many Cupressus species are well adapted to forest fires.
Cupressus comes from areas that are scattered in warm climates, especially in western North America, Central America, northwestern Africa, the Middle East, the Himalayas, southern China, and northern Vietnam. Like other conifers, extensive cultivation has resulted in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, which are planted in parks and gardens around the world.
Bald Cypress (Taxodium sp.)
Taxodium is a genus of one to three species of highly flood-tolerant conifers in the Cupressaceae family. Within the family, Taxodium is most closely related to the Chinese Swamp Fir (Glyptostrobus pencilis) and Tsugi (Cryptomeria japonica).
The Taxodium species occurs in the southern part of the North American continent, it is a deciduous and semi-evergreen to evergreen tree in the south. They are large trees, reaching 30-45 meters in height and 2-3 meters in trunk diameter, and exceptionally up to 10 meters.
The three extant taxa of Taxodium are treated as distinct species, although some botanists treat them as just one or two species:
- Taxodium ascendens
- Taxodium distichum
- Taxodium mucronatum
Bald cypress is highly valued for its rot and termite resistance. The heart of the wood contains a sesquiterpene called cypressene, which acts as a natural preservative.
Buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus)
Buttonwood is a mangrove shrub in the Combretaceae family. This species grows on coastlines in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. Buttonwood usually grows as a compact, multi-stemmed shrub 1-4 meters tall, but it can also grow into a tree 20 meters or more tall, with a trunk diameter of up to 1 meter.
Locations, where buttonwood is known to grow, include Florida, Bermuda, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Central, and South America from Mexico to Brazil on the Atlantic Coast and Mexico to Ecuador on the Pacific Coast, west Africa, and in Melanesia and Polynesia.
The buttonwood tree is used as an ornamental and bonsai plant. Variety Conocarpus erectus var. sericeus, with its silvery leaves, is highly prized for the landscape. Buttonwood has also naturalized in Hawaii and has been used extensively in the landscape in Kuwait.
Bottle Brush (Callistemon sp.)
Callistemon is a genus of trees in the family Myrtaceae, which is endemic to Australia but has been widely cultivated and naturalized in many other areas.
Callistemon species are commonly referred to as “Bottle Brushes” because of the shape of the flowers which resemble a tool for brushing bottles.
Most of the Callistemon species are found along the east coast of Australia and usually occupy damp areas so that when planted near water sources they will grow best.
Acacia (Acacia sp.)
Acacia is a genus of trees belonging to the subfamily Mimosoideae of the family Fabaceae, which was first identified in Africa by the Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1773. Until 2005, it was estimated that there were about 1,300 species of acacia worldwide. About 960 of them are native to Australia, and the rest are distributed in tropical and temperate regions of Europe, Africa, Asia, and America.
Privet (Ligustrum sp.)
Privet is the name of a genus of flowering trees comprising about 50 species, native to Europe, northern Africa, and Asia, and having been introduced and naturalized in Australasia.
Privet is widely grown throughout the world as a live, ornamental, and floral arrangement.
Golden Dewdrop (Duranta erecta)
Duranta erecta is a species of flowering shrub that can reach 5 meters in height, native from Mexico to South America and the Caribbean. This tree is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant in the tropics around the world and has been naturalized in many places.
In its natural habitat, this tree grows in rocky or sandy coastal areas and abandoned vacant land. Once it reaches half a meter in height, it will grow very quickly.
In Australia, South Asia, China, South Africa, Hawaii, Fiji, and French Polynesia, the golden dewdrop has been identified as an invasive species.
Black-Honey Shrub (Phyllanthus reticulatus)
The Black-Honey Shrub is a shrub that reaches 4-5 meters in height, with reddish-brown or grayish-brown wood and bark that peels off with age.
The Black-Honey shrub grows and is considered a weed in Indonesia, it can easily be found in various places such as the side of rural roads, the edges of rice fields, and empty dry gardens.
Cockspur Thorn (Maclura cochinchinensis)
Maclura cochinchinensis is a species of woody and thorny vine in the Moraceae family. It is thought that this tree is native to China, Malesia, Queensland, and northern New South Wales.
Cockspur thorn trees inhabit various types of tropical forests, most often in monsoon forests. The fruit is round, yellow or orange, sweet and edible. The cockspur thorn fruit is a traditional food source for Aboriginal Australians.
Parrot’s Beak (Gmelina sp.)
Gmelina is a genus of flowering trees with a shrubby form that is considered a weed in Queensland, Australia. Outside of its natural habitat, this thorny shrub is widely used as a hedge in rice fields to prevent animals from entering the rice fields.
Vangueria (Vangueria sp.)
Vangueria is a genus of flowering plants in the Rubiaceae family. This genus contains more than 50 species distributed throughout southern Africa with one species in Madagascar (Vangueria madagascariensis). The center of its diversity is in East Africa, especially in Kenya and Tanzania.
Several Vangueria species such as Vangueria latifolia, Vangueria pygmaea, and Vangueria thamnus are known to contain toxic substances which, if ingested by humans, can cause heart failure for four to eight weeks.
Lantana (Lantana camara)
Lantana camara is a species of flowering plant in the Verbenaceae family, native to tropical America. It is a highly adaptable species, which can inhabit a wide variety of ecosystems and is a potentially difficult weed to eradicate.
Lantana can outcompete native species, causing a reduction in biodiversity. It can also cause problems if it invades agricultural areas as a result of its toxicity to livestock, as well as its ability to form thickets which, if left unchecked, can greatly reduce farmland productivity.
Lantana grows as a large shrub that is usually up to 2 meters tall. Under optimal conditions, it can grow up to 4 meters high and more than 10 meters wide.
Mulberry (Morus sp.)
Morus is a genus of 10-16 species of fast-growing small to medium-sized deciduous or semi-evergreen trees reaching 7-10 meters in height.
This genus is native to temperate and subtropical regions of Asia, Africa, and the Americas, and is widely cultivated and naturalized elsewhere including the United States, Mexico, Australia, Kyrgyzstan, Argentina, Turkey, Iran, and many others.
Wood-apple (Limonia acidissima)
Limonia acidissima is the only species in the genus Limonia. It is a medium-sized tree that can grow up to 10 meters tall, with rough, thorny bark.
This tree comes from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia to Java. Known as Wood-apple because of the fruit skin which has a hard shell like wood.
The fruit is edible and contains lots of protein, carbohydrates, iron, fat, calcium, Vitamins B and C.
Putat (Planchonia valida)
Putat is a plant that lives in the primary forests of Malaysia and Indonesia. This tree can reach a height of 30 meters, with a trunk diameter of up to 60 cm. The flowers have many stamens which are pink below and white above.
Putat trees are easy to find in damp places such as river banks, swamps, and rice fields. It grows best in acidic soil and in full sun all day.
Putat trees flower all year round, but the maximum is in September-December, especially October in Indonesia.
People are often confused between Putat (Planchonia valida) and Butun (Barringtonia asiatica), both of which are different species.
Kedondong (Spondias dulcis)
Spondias dulcis is an edible fruit tree that has large seeds with stiff fibers. This tree is fast growing and can reach heights of up to 20 meters where it is native in Melanesia and Polynesia, but is usually less than 10 meters if planted outside its native habitat.
Kedondong fruit and leaves are used as a food source in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, South China, Fiji, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Suriname, Guyana, Samoa, Tonga, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, Trinidad, and Tobago.
Seagrape (Coccoloba uvifera)
Coccoloba uvifera is a species of flowering tree in the family Polygonaceae, native to coastal beaches throughout tropical America and the Caribbean. It is a popular ornamental tree in South Florida yards.
Seagrape is wind-resistant, able to grow in shade, and very salt-tolerant, so it is often planted to stabilize seashores.
Dwarf Umbrella Tree (Heptapleurum arboricola)
The Dwarf Umbrella Tree is a flowering plant in the Araliaceae family, native to Taiwan and Hainan Province in China. The name dwarf umbrella tree refers to the large umbrella tree, Heptapleurum actinophyllum.
This tree grows as a shrub 5-6 meters high, it can grow on the ground or attached to other tree trunks (epiphyte). The leaves are palmately compound, with 7-9 leaflets, each leaflet between 9-20 cm long and 4-10 cm wide (although often smaller) with a wedge-shaped base, and a blunt or sharp tip.
Cotton Tree (Bombax ceiba)
The cotton tree is a tropical tree native to Asia that has tall, straight trunks and deciduous or semi-evergreen leaves. The flowers are large and red with five petals. The trunk and branches are studded with stiff, sharp conical spines.
The cotton tree can grow up to 20 meters high, and up to 60 meters tall in the nutrient-rich humid tropics.
Adenium (Adenium sp.)
Adenium is a genus of succulent plants that are commonly planted to decorate terraces and yards because of their large flowers and easy maintenance.
Adenium has a large stem at the bottom resembling a tuber, not a cambium, and its roots can enlarge to resemble a tuber where the enlarged roots are used by the plant as a place to store water.
Called the “Desert Rose” because it comes from arid regions, it does better in drier soil conditions and full sun all day.
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