Texas Ebony (Future styling suggestions?)

KimchiMonger · 09-19-2010, 03:42 PM

Finally acquired a Texas Ebony close to what I had envisioned! Woo hoo! Oh yeah baby! Oh yeah!

No surprise I'm drawn to this variety as they look similar to another favorite of mine Black Olive (Bucida spinos. This Texas Ebony is 21" high and 20" across. I took a couple of photos here for any input on it's potential and future styling in a year or two maybe?

Thank ya'll for any suggestions and comments.

KimchiMonger · 09-19-2010, 08:37 PM

It's been suggested in another forum that it's weak and needs time to adjust and strengthen in it's new pot. I plan to leave it be for another year and see what it looks like then.

KimchiMonger · 09-21-2010, 12:08 AM

As a follow up, I did have to treat the Texas Ebony with a little Safer when I found a few wooley aphids! OH MY GOD! CALLED NT'L GUARD, LOCAL SHERIFF, MARTHA STEWART (voice mail - no surprise there) AND ANYONE WITH ONE DAY MORE EXPERIENCE THAN I.

Water sprayed trees down the next morning before watering and fertilizing. Came home this evening to find the aphids gone but will keep an eye on this matter as they are likely to return in a few days depending on egg situation etc.

This tree closes it's leaves at night and reopen in the morning. Tonight I stepped out to find it sleeping after leaves were open during the day. Good to see it's seemingly OK.

I plan on letting it be for another couple of years to see how it comes along before doing anything else with this one.

treebeard55 · 09-21-2010, 04:46 PM

A roomy pot will speed development -- lets the roots spread out more.

I think you're going to want to chop it back -- ready for this? -- to about half its present height. That will give you much better proportions and a more believable image of a mature tree.

Don't cut it now; do it as the first step in rough styling when the time comes. That gives you two years to get used to the idea!

KimchiMonger · 09-26-2010, 09:19 PM

Treebeard 55,

I understand what you suggest on creating a more believable image of a mature tree. It's in the plans after a few more years of doing it's own thing. Thanks for the suggestion! Currently it's been transplanted to a larger training pot which is a black square potting basket that looks like a swimming pool skimmer.

Recently I came across these two little seedlings on Ebay and won! Well, actually no one but me bid on them which was quite fine with me

Will be great to watch them grow for another ten-fifteen years and beyond. Ridiculous how difficult it is to find Texas Ebony while living in Texas!!!

I'm already making plans to acquire seeds and germinate my own for future years supply.

Look at those two. Sitting there looking pretty. Just look at them.

Will ya just look at them! Sittin' there like that looking so smart and pretty....

treebeard55 · 10-02-2010, 01:20 PM

KM, you're hooked, buddy!

Some years ago my brother and I were driving in the Rio Grande valley, where he then lived. His chosen route took us thru a golf course. He pointed to some small, dark-foliaged trees spotted around and commented, "Those are ebony."

"Texas ebony?? Stop the car!"

My very-startled brother stomped the brake in response to my bellow. I explained, "They're good for bonsai," as I unbuckled and jumped out. Being a good sport, he helped me pick up a couple dozen seeds from the ground.

Not all the seedlings survived here in northern Indiana, but few of them are still alive, in possession of local club members.

KimchiMonger · 10-03-2010, 10:53 PM

Nice story. Your brother had no idea what inciting words he uttered when he pointed out those Tx Ebony

I'm not surprised at my attraction to this type of tree with it's branching somewhat similar to Bucida spinosa. The leaves and bark I find one of the most beautiful I've ever seen with it's complimenting thorns.

The original Ebony is back budding well following it's transplant into a grow pot! Little leaves showing up here and there. Temps in the mid 50's here at night and mid 80's during the day. Will bring them in by the large patio window mid Fall when temps get much colder.

Below are new pics of the backbudding larger Ebony and little one's that showed up in the mail.

KimchiMonger · 10-17-2010, 10:44 PM

The Texas Ebony previously (Pithecellobium flexicaule) now (Ebenopsis ebano)Fabaceae or Legume family.

The leaves folding at night...

4thGenChico · 10-18-2010, 02:15 PM

Those are cool looking little trees! I'm supposing that they might survive in zone 9 if I were lucky enough to be able to find some? (Maybe I'll "win" some on Ebay). Thanks for sharing! I had never even heard of Texas Ebony before this.

KimchiMonger · 11-07-2010, 01:51 AM

Compared to the first photo taken day one, leaf growth has been great!

09-21-2010, 04:46 PM	#4 (permalink)
treebeard55 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Warsaw IN, USA USDA zone 5b Posts: 511	A roomy pot will speed development -- lets the roots spread out more. I think you're going to want to chop it back -- ready for this? -- to about half its present height. That will give you much better proportions and a more believable image of a mature tree. Don't cut it now; do it as the first step in rough styling when the time comes. That gives you two years to get used to the idea! __________________ Treebeard 55 Steve Moore http://hoosierbonsai.blogspot.com The most important bonsai tool is your brain.

10-02-2010, 01:20 PM	#6 (permalink)
treebeard55 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Warsaw IN, USA USDA zone 5b Posts: 511	KM, you're hooked, buddy! Some years ago my brother and I were driving in the Rio Grande valley, where he then lived. His chosen route took us thru a golf course. He pointed to some small, dark-foliaged trees spotted around and commented, "Those are ebony." "Texas ebony?? Stop the car!" My very-startled brother stomped the brake in response to my bellow. I explained, "They're good for bonsai," as I unbuckled and jumped out. Being a good sport, he helped me pick up a couple dozen seeds from the ground. Not all the seedlings survived here in northern Indiana, but few of them are still alive, in possession of local club members. __________________ Treebeard 55 Steve Moore http://hoosierbonsai.blogspot.com The most important bonsai tool is your brain.

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09-19-2010, 08:37 PM	#2 (permalink)
KimchiMonger Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Dallas Zone 8a Posts: 26	It's been suggested in another forum that it's weak and needs time to adjust and strengthen in it's new pot. I plan to leave it be for another year and see what it looks like then.

09-21-2010, 12:08 AM	#3 (permalink)
KimchiMonger Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Dallas Zone 8a Posts: 26	As a follow up, I did have to treat the Texas Ebony with a little Safer when I found a few wooley aphids! OH MY GOD! CALLED NT'L GUARD, LOCAL SHERIFF, MARTHA STEWART (voice mail - no surprise there) AND ANYONE WITH ONE DAY MORE EXPERIENCE THAN I. Water sprayed trees down the next morning before watering and fertilizing. Came home this evening to find the aphids gone but will keep an eye on this matter as they are likely to return in a few days depending on egg situation etc. This tree closes it's leaves at night and reopen in the morning. Tonight I stepped out to find it sleeping after leaves were open during the day. Good to see it's seemingly OK. I plan on letting it be for another couple of years to see how it comes along before doing anything else with this one.

10-18-2010, 02:15 PM	#9 (permalink)
4thGenChico Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Chico, CA Posts: 7	Those are cool looking little trees! I'm supposing that they might survive in zone 9 if I were lucky enough to be able to find some? (Maybe I'll "win" some on Ebay). Thanks for sharing! I had never even heard of Texas Ebony before this.

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