Yes, that might generate a few suggestions. Thanks very much.

This may not apply to yard trees, but just an FYI, bonsai trees are "bonsai"-ed by trimming the roots heavily. that's why bonsais are always in shallow pots. (Roots are not trimmed by thinning out, but are rather trimmed to be very short.) Trimming the roots miniaturizes the tree, just like conifers are miniaturized when you see them growing in thin rocky soil on mountainsides. It would be very interesting if you could create a bonsai environment in your garden which would keeps the roots from growing long. Let us know if anybody gives you some tips.

So if I trim the roots on this little tree before I plant it, do you think I could keep it sort of small. It's about a foot tall right now. Maybe in the spring I'll try it. I'll post if I have any luck.

Might be an interesting project. Thanks.

To continually care for a bonsai the roots are periodically trimmed. Otherwise they grow long and wrap around the pot, which counteracts the bonsai effect. That's why mountainside cliffs work. The soil is so sparse to begin with that the roots are stunted and can't go deep. With a yard I'm not sure. One trimming at the beginning would just delay the growth of the roots, and then the normal growth of the plant. I would assume you'd either need a way to trim roots periodically, or plant it in a place where roots are restricted. You might have better luck with selective pruning. But, I'd still love to hear if others have done this purposefully in a yard!

I have a small hill behind my house - maybe I could adapt that some how. Hmmm. Will take some thought. Thanks again.

When it comes time to plant in the spring, should I let it leaf out a bit before root pruning it? Seems like they would need that. Thanks.

I only know some thing about indoor bonsai. Started to do it as a hobby but then petered out. Outdoor bonsai is new. I was hoping to learn myself if somebody else responded to you! Try an internet search. I don't want to give a lot of advice. I just know somehow for a plant to stay small/miniaturized the roots have to be stunted.

All new to me too!! I've done indoor bonsai with limited success - they are neat so wish I could have done better. I think it makes sense to let it leaf out a bit so it can gain some nutrition through the leaves. I'll let it do that until a few branches are leafed and then I'll root prune. Should be interesting...