Bonsai With Curling Flaky Bark

Dogwoods

• Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas), which is native to Europe, is actually a dogwood species. It’s a large multistemmed shrub or small tree with exfoliating bark. Fruits resembling red cherries follow yellow flowers that resemble forsythia blossoms. As a bonsai specimen, it has year-round interest with flowers, fruits, exfoliating bark and red leaves in autumn. Its Asian relative, Japanese cornel dogwood (C. officinalis), has flaky, brown-and-orange bark giving it a shaggy appearance.

Surinam Cherry

• Surinam cherry (Eugenia uniflora) is in the myrtle family. It has multiple stems, resembling crapemyrtles. The tree is prized as a bonsai specimen because of its tan-to-reddish. thin, peeling bark. In the spring, fragrant white flowers give way to red cherries, which are unusually high in vitamin C, according to Edward F. Gilman of the University of Florida IFAS Extension. Its leaves are red when young and very fragrant. Hardy only to U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zone 9, Surinam cherry bonsai trees must be protected during winter in other zones.

Paper Bark Maple

• Paper bark maple (Acer griseum) lives up to its name. Its curling, flaky bark is long lasting, remaining attached to the tree. Smooth copper-colored bark shows beneath its cinnamon-colored peeling bark, and is especially showy in winter, according to Ohio State University Extension. Native to China, this tree is an excellent bonsai candidate. Paper bark is a slow-growing tree that produces sterile seeds. It is difficult to propagate, making bonsai specimens costly, but easy to grow.

Birches

• According to the Iowa State University Extension, birch trees are one of the most commonly used tree species for bonsai. Many birches have flaky bark that peels away from the trunk. Paper birch (Betula papyrifera) has a striking contrast of white, flaky bark that peels away revealing orange inner bark. River birch (B. nigra) is native to the Southeast and is considered by Clemson Cooperative Extension as the most widely adapted of all the birches. Its pinkish-to-reddish bark peels away revealing cinnamon-brown bark underneath.