Dwarf Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus compactus) by Reiner Goebel See a large image of this tree Euonymus or Spindle tree is a genus of approximately 175 species of deciduous, semi-evergreen and evergreen shrubs, trees and climbers found growing mainly in Asia. The Euonymus alatus is called Burning bush or Winged spindle tree for the broad, corky wings that adorn its branches. The Dwarf burning bush (Euonymus alatus compactus) lacks this 'feature' and is therefore better suited for bonsai. In addition, its branching is finer and its leaves are smaller. Burning bush is a popular garden plant because if its intense red foliage colour in fall. While Japanese maples will produce good fall colour even when grown in a good deal of shade, Burning bush needs full sun exposure for best results. I find this plant likes a good supply of moisture during spring and summer, and I therefore grow mine in fairly deep pots. I started growing Burning bush as bonsai in 1992, and since then have had only one recurring problem: branch dieback just as the new growth begins to elongate in spring. However, this dieback usually does not affect the whole branch, but only the fresh elongation. Another drawback in bonsai culture is the plant's habit of producing only one shoot elongation per growing season. When a branch is pruned, the new buds produced in the leaf axils will not open until the next spring, making the development of ramification a slow process. Among its strong points, other than fall colour, are: … Hardiness in zones 4 to 9 (average minimum temperature from -34C to -1C) … Beautiful bark even in young plants … Adaptability to life in a container … Buds back well on old wood … Naturally small leaves that reduce even more in bonsai culture … Bright orange 'berries' in fall and winter Branches have to be wired very carefully, because the fat buds are only attached very loosely and can easily be knocked off. All in all, I think Dwarf burning bush makes a very good subject for bonsai and deserves to be grown more frequently. I hope the following pictorial will prove the point.

The plant was bought at a local garden centre in the summer of 1992. This picture shows it in February 1993 after initial pruning and wiring.	June 1993
In the spring of 1994, the tree was transferred to a bonsai pot.	July 1995
The tree in fall colour, October 1995	Early November 1995 after leaf drop. Once the leaves turn colour, they do not remain on the tree for very long.
The tree suffered a set-back in the winter of 1996/97 when the apex died back as a result of a fungus attack. It came about because I wintered the tree in my cold frame rather than outside.	In October 1998, the top is still flat.
In October of 2000, the tree has regained its former shape. In 2001, I am planning on bringing in the sides a little to make the width more proportional to tree's height. The tree is now 55 cm tall with a trunk measuring 5 cm at the base.	After transfer to a bonsai container.
August 1999. Once the tree started to grow, I reduced the top to achieve better proportion.	June 2000
October 2000

I inherited the tree below when a bonsai acquaintance of mine died in a car accident early in 1998 and his widow thought he would have liked me to look after his collection.

The tree in early spring 1998.	May 1999
The tree as it appeared at the start of fall colouration in October 2000. In 2001, it will be repotted into a larger pot with a more subdued glaze.