Pictures are worth a thousand words.

Smoke

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Currently there seems to be much discussion about a guy in Oregon digging trees. While I have steered clear of those threads I may be able to shed some light on things with a few pictures of a trip to Oregon I made in 2009 when things at Oregon Bonsai were just heating up.
being much of a vagabond when it comes to bonsai and wishing to see things "with my own eyes" I arranged to meet with Jason Gamby and see what this was all about.

I put aside a day to spend at the property and I wasn't disappointed. There was much to see there. I enjoyed seeing the nursery portion as well as the growing fields and then the collection holding area. I spent some time with Peter Warren from the UK who was working on some Bonsai. I also saw a huge block of collected material selected by Walter Pall bound for Doyle's place.

Keep in mind that these pictures are almost three years old (in April) and I am sure that hundreds if not thousalds of plants have been collected since then.

I have sat on the pictures for three years sice I didn't see any need in posting them. Now it is clear some validation needs to be seen and you all can make up your own mind.

I report you decide..
 

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Smoke

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These photos are being shown in the order they were taken as I explained above. The nursey portion and the growing fields and then the collected area.

Thats my host, Jason Gamby with the huge bulge in his pants.
 

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Smoke

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I wasn't to impressed with the growing fields as most of the plants while having big trunks were not properly grown for bonsai. At least not from my point of view. When I was there Jason told me he was going to get Matt Owinga works on them for some trade outs. I don't know if that happened.

Based on a recent thread of three of these trees dug from this field I don't think anyone worked on them as far as I can see. They still look pretty fugly.
 

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Smoke

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These are the fields. Those pines have been hacked to death and the tridents were pretty bad. If this was as far as you could go then this would not be too much to rave about. Ripsgreentree makes better stock than this.


But....nature is about to rear her ugly head.
 

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Smoke

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Patience its coming soon.
 

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Smoke

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Almost there....

Say hi to Peter Warren!
 

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Smoke

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Really close...I swear
 

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Smoke

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Now we are there.

This is what bonsai material is supposed to look like.
 

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Smoke

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Did I mention this is material good for bonsai?
 

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lol yah... and doubtlessly that section is the NFS to the GP.

But it is lovely. :)

V
 

Smoke

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Any respect yet?
 

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Smoke

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OK....the last two pics.

The best digger in the world, USA I have no idea.

But here you are, photo evidence of the mythical trees in Oregon.

I was sold.

Anyone else?
 

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Smoke

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lol yah... and doubtlessly that section is the NFS to the GP.

But it is lovely. :)

V

The big cheeses had not set up shop yet. At the time I was there they were still selling to the public via internet. As far as I know everything had its price. It always helps if you have some reputation also. No one likes to sell something to someone they don't know that may likely kill it. (why I don't sell anything good)

Today I suppose its all arranged by the professionals and not so much open to the public. Maybe Jason will tell us what we don't really want to hear.
 
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I don't think anyone said they were mythical... what has been questioned, and not unreasonably over the years, is who is allowed to have access to this green horde. It would be nice to have that one thing put to rest really... that the best of what is for sale, isn't available to the general public. Not sure any of us likes being offered sloppy seconds, even if they are 'decent'.

Just my two cents before bed. But I appreciate the photos Al... What did you take home?

Your friend,

V
 
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The big cheeses had not set up shop yet. At the time I was there they were still selling to the public via internet. As far as I know everything had its price. It always helps if you have some reputation also. No one likes to sell something to someone they don't know that may likely kill it. (why I don't sell anything good)

Today I suppose its all arranged by the professionals and not so much open to the public. Maybe Jason will tell us what we don't really want to hear.

I'm with you on the being cautious about selling to people who are inexperianced... no doubt. And it will be very interesting if someone would clarify that one thing... it would be nice.

Goodnight... :)

V
 

buddhamonk

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Ive been to randy's a dozen times and almost everything is for sale but everything has its price. When ryan was once asked at a club meeting where he brought three really good rmj to work on if they were for sale he said that everything in his garden is for sale except for three trees. Bonsai professionals dont make money by holding on to their trees.
 

Ang3lfir3

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Ive been to randy's a dozen times and almost everything is for sale but everything has its price. When ryan was once asked at a club meeting where he brought three really good rmj to work on if they were for sale he said that everything in his garden is for sale except for three trees. Bonsai professionals dont make money by holding on to their trees.

What did you buy there ???
 

Brian Underwood

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Holy crap, I was drooling the entire time. I think I'll be going collecting this year for sure. Best in the world? Probably. Inspirational? Oh yeah.
 

Ang3lfir3

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Holy crap, I was drooling the entire time. I think I'll be going collecting this year for sure. Best in the world? Probably. Inspirational? Oh yeah.
Why go to all that trouble.... when you can just buy them .... aren't you a serious bonsai guy???
 

Smoke

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I don't think anyone said they were mythical... what has been questioned, and not unreasonably over the years, is who is allowed to have access to this green horde. It would be nice to have that one thing put to rest really... that the best of what is for sale, isn't available to the general public. Not sure any of us likes being offered sloppy seconds, even if they are 'decent'.

Just my two cents before bed. But I appreciate the photos Al... What did you take home?

Your friend,

V

How many people outside of Oregon know who Telperion is? The net can help but does any non chain retail establishment have much exposure outside of a driveby?
 
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