Beech bonsai collecting

[0203slo]

Hello,
there is a beech tree near my home which i want to collect as soon as possible. But right now is the middle of summer so i should probably wait. The point is that there are three big branches (each 2m long) that are growing out of the trunk of the tree but will eventually be removed. I am wondering if i can cut them of when i will collect the tree or should i leave them on. And when should i do it/collect it.

 

[john blanch]

You can't rely on a Fagus salvation budding from old wood, such as the trunk. So be careful with your choice of what you remove. Where in the world are you? Harry Harrington has some very interesting things to say about Beech on his website www.bonsai4me

Search Results for “Fagus sylvatica” – Bonsai4Me

bonsai4me.com

Collected Beech Bonsai Progression Series and Why You Should Not Chop a Trunk Too Early – Bonsai4Me

bonsai4me.com

 

[Gabler]

Where do you live? Without your location in your profile, it's hard to give useful advice. We don't even know which species of beech.

 

[0203slo]

Fagus sylvatica, i live in central Europe.

 

[Maros]

Shaded location probably. You remove the branches now and the tree will stay shaded from the sun and will struggle. The second thing is, if you are new to the bonsai and collecting, which you probably are based on this question, your tree will have massive roots anchoring him to the slope. Finer roots will not be anywhere near where you need them, probably. You will end up with a dead tree soon after you collect it, or with material, you will struggle to develop a convincing design.
I absolutely understand you like the strange shape and all that but in my opinion, it is too much work, with too much risk and little potential benefit. Keep looking around and you may find something more simple and easier to collect and start with. My two cents.

 

[Tieball]

I agree totally with @Maros
In my own experience on my woodland areas around me. I've dug up beeches and hornbeams that look like this. Attractively gnarled on the surface. There were no finer roots anywhere near the trunk. The soil was soft due to the decomposed leaves around the trees so I figured easy digging. It was easy but there was a lack of useable roots. In the end there was more trunk and massive sized roots that spread everywhere. I dug up the trees anyway. The trees did not back bud at all. Dead. Now….I leave these trees to grow in the ground and seek out other material.

However, you could be pleasantly surprised with a mass of roots. Give it a good try and learn more. I would not cut off the branches until digging day next spring. I would wait for the bud swelling time next spring. But….really…next spring….you may be in spring already. I don’t know Central Europe climates.

 

[Paradox]

Agree with Maros and Tieball.
This tree isn't worth the effort to try and collect

 

[rockm]

This tree is a complete mess. Don't mistake "ugly" and "freakish" for good bonsai material. It will take not only a big effort to get this out alive, but another huge leap to make it into a bonsai worth looking at. And no, don't take that as some kind of challenge. If you can't see the problems with this tree, then you're not going to turn a sow's ear into a silk purse.