Jim said:

To growers in the SE US, has anyone used the Rusty Black Haw,
Viburnum rufidulum for bonsai. Nice size leaves, lovely
flowers, nice fruit and red fall color.

I picked up a 5-gal plant the other day, part of a birthday gift
from the wife. I've trimmed it back considerably, but don't
plan much more for it until spring.

Because Viburnum is very susceptible to "sudden oak death", I have
recently become very interested in it. It is attractive for research
because the cuttings of many species root very easily, giving me a
large supply of small experimental units. Last Friday I collected
seed from arrowwood (V. dentatum) so I can stratify them and grow
seedlings next spring.

Anyway, it's a large genus, and some species have big leaves and weak,
pithy wood, making them not very promising for bonsai. Others have
spectacular bark, good fall color, and small leaves, making very nice
bonsai. I invite Anita Hawkins to weigh in, because she has grown
native Viburnums as bonsai for many years.

According to Dirr, who is very fond of viburnums, V. rufidum is just a
hairier version of blackhaw, V. prunifolium, which is common here in
Maryland, and which has outstanding bark.

Nina