J-Bog

Me and a buddy are going out into the Boise Foothills to looks for Junipers and other good Bonsai material. I was wondering what I need to know and keep in mind when I go out? Do I just dig up the tree and put it into a gallon pot? Should I trim roots while I am out in the field?

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"It is said that you should never leave anything to chance; but, in operating like that, chance never leaves anything to you."

anttal63

hey j from this post i'm questioning your experience and your research in preparation. before we get to the take lets talk about what to take not to take. what and how to get ready to take next year. i may be out of line here sorry in advance.

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Antonio......
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Prowler

I have a Bonsai kit in my car all the time.
Large black poly bags.
Water container
A ex army folding down trench shovel.
I like to take a half bag of the soil that the tree is growing in, provided it is not just common muck, sand and gravel okay.
I have never found anything that looks special, i have seen some nice ones growing in old quarries, or on a cliff but, i am a bit long in the tooth for trying such antics nowadays.
Before the old complaints about permission start, i only go to places that have been abandoned many years ago. Cheers.

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Its hell out there, give them hell back.

Mattbonsai

First thing I would think is about legislation. are you allowed to take the trees?

Another few questions, are the trees in direct danger of being killed / removed? can the lifting be spread over a couple of years? is yer spade sharp?

If the trees can be left, what I have read a few times in books and online, is if you cut around the tree, cutting larger roots, this will encourage the tree to produce fibrous roots (which we all know they do in pots anyway) leave the tree for a year or two, then come back and remove it, by then it should have alot of fibrous roots.

-Matt-

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Prowler

Matt
I have tried that, the next year i went back, it had been filled in as a land tip,
it was all filed in and replanted with pine seedlings. Nothing wrong with that, it just put me on a bit of a downer.
The same as our forestry commission, they grow trees to a certain size, put out tenders to chop them down. In comes the loggers, large machines and every thing is gone. They don't worry about seedlings, when those prairie busters move in the lot is gone.
Of course this does not apply to J-Bog up in the mountains, but i think you have to grab what you can if it looks nice.
I don't !! dig up seedlings when newly planted, you can buy them from the Forestry garden centre's very cheap all in pots so saves digging about. Cheers.

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Its hell out there, give them hell back.

Phil

Like Matt said....permission first and foremost!
Being from Chicago and not traveling as I used to Yamadori is out of the picture for me. Having said that it's not as simple as bringing a spade and a bucket. It depends on the time of the year, the species and it's size. In all consideration it may take a year (or more) before you can actually dig it up.
HERE is a start and after reading that read a lot more before you end up killing a perfectly good tree.

~Phil

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Please, always keep in mind that the typewritten word does not always convey what you wish to say, and to always treat others as you would have them treat you. Think twice-submit once.
I started out with nothing....and still have most of it.
"Its hell out there, give them hell back." ~ Prowler/Victor Gray 12/31/1943 - 11/24/2008

Prowler

Basically i have to agree with all that has been stated so far.
But have you ever tried to find out who owns an old Quarry?
Some of them have been left for many many years.
If i did find out who owned them, they would wonder what the hell i was speaking about.
There is a fine line that you dont cross, but that is up to the individual, an old sand pit is also fair game as well.
It is not as though i go into peoples gardens and dig up their trees, Just my opinion on this. Cheers.

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Its hell out there, give them hell back.

Phil

Yep...we have plenty of old quarries here and those with water water at the basin often make for some damn good Bass fishing. Just about everything is owned by someone so its best to try and obtain permission first.

All in all most people would care less if you wanted to dig up some small tree and would think you somewhat on the crazy side and more than welcome to do so. The point being is that you certainly do not wish to find a good specimen only to end up killing it by being impatient by not going about it properly. It might look good in that grow box for a few weeks but it will surely die if not handled properly and given due diligence in all the proper preparation in obtaining it so that it simply does not end up as kindling.

~Phil

__________________

Please, always keep in mind that the typewritten word does not always convey what you wish to say, and to always treat others as you would have them treat you. Think twice-submit once.
I started out with nothing....and still have most of it.
"Its hell out there, give them hell back." ~ Prowler/Victor Gray 12/31/1943 - 11/24/2008

Prowler

No names you know the pack drill.
Where i go on my holidays the owner has a lot of dustbins on the site, he collects all the bottles and tins, i asked him where he dumps them, he told me he dumps them in a land fill site.
The nearest place is a 100mls away for the incinerating plant. They don't bother about it, so to me asking about a tree to dig up is like peeing against the wind, out it comes and that is that, why should i worry if no one else is?

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Its hell out there, give them hell back.

anttal63

im with you pal but not to loud aye.

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Antonio......
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