The 2024 Yamadori/Collecting Thread

IllinoisSam · Mar 3, 2024

We got this beauty out of the ground. yesterday There were several fat roots heading in every direction, but after working the root ball, there were hardly any fine roots left. I washed what was left and potted it with pure pumice 1/4" - 3/8". Then I used a bunch of wire and a stake in the ground to keep it solidly in place and minimize any root movement within the soil. It's in a mostly shady location. I have set up a misting system and will be misting for a minute every four daylight hours.

One of the guys in our club said I should trim a lot of the foliage, since there are so few roots. But, I'm not sure about that, especially since the regular misting should help replenish water.

All input is welcome.

PaulH · Mar 3, 2024

Do not trim foliage on junipers! As the tree recovers it will self abort some foliage. In fact that's the first sign it might live. Keep it in semi shade, mist regularly but don't let the soil get too wet. The soil should be moist but not wet. I cover the soil with plastic. Good luck!

Bavarian Raven · Mar 3, 2024

Old junipers usually dont have many fine roots close in. The pic shows it has very few roots at all. As the above poster mentioned, dont remove any green yet. If it survives, it will jettison a lot of the green as is.

Frozentreehugger · Mar 3, 2024

TCEvan said:
Anyone have experience with collecting jack pine? I've collected 3 now, 2 in standard spring time, and one in the first week of September. One of the spring collections survived, the other didn't make it. The one in September survived.

Wondering if anyone else has a preference on spring vs. late summer/early fall collection for these, I've got my eye on a couple more for this year.

I live south of Ottawa Ont Canada . USDA zone 4 . Have never collected Jack pine ( can’t find good specimen ) but the spring fall debate . Your pretty close zone wise . I collect in spring simple rule is . First winter is largest test for the tree . Spring gives longest time to recover before that test . If I had a greenhouse and could keep trees above freezing than I would be tempted to try fall . Without no . From contacts I have had . In this enviro success percentages are far better in spring .

Frozentreehugger · Mar 3, 2024

PaulH said:
Do not trim foliage on junipers! As the tree recovers it will self abort some foliage. In fact that's the first sign it might live. Keep it in semi shade, mist regularly but don't let the soil get too wet. The soil should be moist but not wet. I cover the soil with plastic. Good luck!

Up here in the north . Recognized as one of the hardest trees to successfully collect is . Common needle juniper . My attempt last spring failed . I still have it but little to no hope . Was disappointed as I had lots of foliage . And what I would say is moderated roots .as you said I think my failure was . To not protect the pot from the wet spring we had . Poted in very free draining mix I thought things would be fine . It started to decline as soon as the heat of sumner arrived . And just never stopped .

August44 · Mar 3, 2024

Scriv said:
This was posted by @PaulH awhile back. Very similar aftercare regimen to what Tom Vuong and Randy Knight recommend as well. Might not need to mist as much with higher relative humidity.

1. Don't obsess over getting a lot of roots. Feeder roots are good but thicker structure roots can go.
2. Wash field soil off the roots with a hose nozzle and remove any dead roots
3. Pot in the smallest pet or box in which it will fit. If the container is too big it will retain moisture and rot the roots.
4. Plant in 100% pumice sifted to larger than 1/4" size. Absolutely no organic or fine soil.
5. Keep the tree in a cool greenhouse or equivalent with filtered sun.
6. Mist the foliage a minimum of every 4 hours. If you can't manage it yourself set up a timed misting system.
7. Cover the soil surface with something to keep misting water out. You want the soil (pumice) slightly moist but never wet.
8. When new growth begins gradually move the tree to full sun. New growth means actual elongating shoots.

I've tried other methods and killed a lot of junipers before learning this.
Good luck. I hope this one survives but I think the odds are against it unless you start over with it.

Interesting. All I have ever heard when collecting any tree is to always leave a portion of the native soil. Are you saying junipers are that much different?

outdoormarky · Mar 3, 2024

bdmatt said:
Got some trees flagged for future collection. Several Utahs and a couple of pinyon pines.
View attachment 520844

Those look amazing! I've been thinking of collecting both of these species as well. But I'm learning. When's the best time of year to dig them up?

bdmatt · Mar 3, 2024

outdoormarky said:
Those look amazing! I've been thinking of collecting both of these species as well. But I'm learning. When's the best time of year to dig them up?

We collect two times a year. Once in early November and the other time in April.

Frozentreehugger · Mar 3, 2024

Wilson said:
Myself and a few other good folks from Canada made our way down to Louisiana for some swamp adventures. We were hosted by Nate Murray of The Boot Bonsai, from Franklinton Louisiana. Amazing trip, inspiring landscapes, and of course AWESOME BALD CYPRESS! Here is one I pulled that was giving me the Guy Guidry's twister vibes when I spotted it.View attachment 531048

As a fellow Canadian can I ask how you got it across the border

cishepard · Mar 3, 2024

Frozentreehugger said:
As a fellow Canadian can I ask how you got it across the border

Haha, as a fellow Canadian you should know better than to ask, lol!

The Barber · Mar 3, 2024

cishepard said:
Haha, as a fellow Canadian you should know better than to ask, lol!

Now I'm curious... I'm guessing decorate them in plastic foliage and pretend they are decorative. I don't think those bonsai are compact enough for the old smuggler wallets lol.

On another note, nice tree!

Cajunrider · Mar 3, 2024

Cajunrider said:
Turned out it wasn’t a tree I planted. It was from a broken pot blown into the field and wound up in the debris line.
Bottom of old pot shown.
View attachment 529155
View attachment 529156

Trunk chopped where there is a reverse taper.
View attachment 529157

Worked on the roots
View attachment 529158 View attachment 529159
View attachment 529160

Planted deep in a mica pot to allow the split roots to heal.
View attachment 529162 View attachment 529161

Profuse budding on the trunk two weeks later.

The Barber · Mar 4, 2024

My big honeysuckle I collected recently is pushing a metric ton of low buds. Hopefully it pushes a bunch of buds higher up the tree!

PaulH · Mar 4, 2024

August44 said:
always leave a portion of the native soil.

I seldom, if ever try to leave native soil on collected trees of any species with a couple of exceptions. Trees growing in pure pumice like the soil at Mammoth, CA can be planted directly in 100% native soil. Also trees growing in heavy, nutrient poor soil like those from California's pygmy forest must be very gradually changed from native soil. I have a very good survival rate on collected trees,

IllinoisSam · Mar 4, 2024

PaulH said:
Do not trim foliage on junipers! As the tree recovers it will self abort some foliage. In fact that's the first sign it might live. Keep it in semi shade, mist regularly but don't let the soil get too wet. The soil should be moist but not wet. I cover the soil with plastic. Good luck!

Thank you very much.

PonderingSage: · Mar 4, 2024

IllinoisSam said:
Tomorrow we will be collecting two large old junipers, with permission, from an old cemetery in southern Illinois. We have been fertilizing and cutting the roots since last fall. They are about 25" high and 40" wide, with gnarly trunks

Should we keep them with original soil in the pot?
Or
Should we bare root and pot in pumice?
Should we cut roots back now or wait a year or two?
Should we daily mist?
Or
Should we bag them
We really don't want to kill them.

With junpers l dont bare root. I leave native root ball around the trunk untouched. I do everything else listed above.
With native soil, l hardly ever water since it stays damp so long.

Cajunrider · Mar 4, 2024

Collected during my walk about. I am not sure what it is. Beautiful root spread and tiny reddish buds. We will know in a few weeks.

PonderingSage: · Mar 5, 2024

I picked up a few Siberian elms. At the spot they were growing they were on and in basalt, so for once didn’t have just one huge taproot. They actually have decent root spreads, but are buried below the soil line.

CreekChalk · Mar 5, 2024

Ashe Juniper collected at the San Antonio Bonsai society dig that I host on my place annually.

It was in a pocket in solid limestone and came out without digging, 95% of the root system intact. I’m hopeful but not holding my breath.

Gabler · Mar 5, 2024

CreekChalk said:
Ashe Juniper collected at the San Antonio Bonsai society dig that I host on my place annually.

It was in a pocket in solid limestone and came out without digging, 95% of the root system intact. I’m hopeful but not holding my breath.

Pics or it didn't happen.

The 2024 Yamadori/Collecting Thread

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Omono

Mame

Masterpiece

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Mame

Masterpiece

Shohin

Shohin

Imperial Masterpiece

Shohin

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Shohin

Imperial Masterpiece

Shohin

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