Choosing proper material

[Djtommy]

Well,

Choosing material to work with, how do you go about it.
Ive seen it mention several times here but couldnt really find a dedicated thread about the topic.

I believe everybody knows starting with good material should lead to better bonsai.
As mentioned by Walter pall, this is something not being teached.
Well how do we learn it then?

Im sure we all get better with time but lets just mention here how you go when choosing material.

The thing usually mentioned is nebari and trunk,mentioned often because its true what mean a good trunk to you?

I believe what it comes down too is seeing the potential in a tree, now thats difficult.
How do you get better in this? I believe looking at many good trees helps, looking at demonstrations, progessions threads.

Do you have an idea where you want to go when you buy something?
I think its sometimes difficult.

Please share how you choose a new tree for your collection

Thanx

 

[sorce]

Wild. I'll collect ANYTHING I don't have, to learn. Any elm with enough roots to thrive, as they can be easily layered for good roots and completely regrown.

Nursery, I look for SINGLE trees, (azaleas, junipers, cotoneaster, holly, box, mostly are crappy multiples. )
Gotta have a good flare, a good front spread at least. No, or fixable, reverse taper. Good health above all, unless the rest is near perfect.

"If your hands are clean on the way home from the nursery, and you bought a tree, you can usually use those clean hands to throw that crap out the window."

If you go home with nothing 9 times out of ten, you're on the right track.

Far as Finished Bonsai. Hell, I'd buy everything at that point, because it would have to be a stolen Credit Card anyway!

Sorce

 

[fourteener]

I used to grab anything and everything. Now it's mostly about thickness of trunk, movement at the base then throughout. Being a conifer guy, nebari isn't as high a priority. Finally it's about being unique. Is there some quality about this tree that stands out. The stick straight spruce was what I gathered early on. Those have all been sold as I've gathered much more unique interesting material. I'm getting my hands on a Scot pine that is blue here in a couple of weeks. The form is nothing to speak of, the color is a mind blower!! Unique.

 

[BrianBay9]

...and you'll make you're life much easier if you choose plants native to your region. Or at least choose trees that can easily handle your climate zone. Don't assume that, just because it is being sold in a local nursery it will thrive in your area.

 

[JudyB]

If you work with a reputable seller, who can help steer you towards good material that's helpful for sure. In working with Don, he has helped me move my collection in this direction. I always look for unique material and sometimes lesser used types of trees as well. I think you'll start to be able to see great potential material the more you work with it.
I think you also have to be prepared to save up your budget, and buy less, and get more for your money. Nursery stock is fine to learn on, but if you really want material with great bonsai potential, you need to move beyond nursery stock.

 

[Giga]

If you work with a reputable seller, who can help steer you towards good material that's helpful for sure. In working with Don, he has helped me move my collection in this direction. I always look for unique material and sometimes lesser used types of trees as well. I think you'll start to be able to see great potential material the more you work with it.
I think you also have to be prepared to save up your budget, and buy less, and get more for your money. Nursery stock is fine to learn on, but if you really want material with great bonsai potential, you need to move beyond nursery stock.

Just learn the great aspects of bonsai tree's and that's what you look for in a tree. I think in the long run you'd be much more happy with 5 great tree's on your bench then 15 mediocre tree's. Also if your in Japan I'd image you have great material to buy!

 

[Djtommy]

Finally it's about being unique. Is there some quality about this tree that stands out.

I agree, a good bonsai doesnt need to be flawless i believe but it does need to have something that make it stand out.

...and you'll make you're life much easier if you choose plants native to your region. Or at least choose trees that can easily handle your climate zone. Don't assume that, just because it is being sold in a local nursery it will thrive in your area.

Yep, i myself have my eye on an ezospruce, but they dont like hot weather, they keep them here though but a bit more north is better. I might still get one though, cant get it out of my head...

Just learn the great aspects of bonsai tree's and that's what you look for in a tree. I think in the long run you'd be much more happy with 5 great tree's on your bench then 15 mediocre tree's. Also if your in Japan I'd image you have great material to buy!

deffinatly true if you have limited space, indeed acces to good stuff here.
Earlier today i was in takamatsu for a job, had some time to look around a bi. if your looking for a pine this is where you want to be, they grow them in fields by the thousends. Pine bonsai heaven
Many have big fat trunk, good nebari and movement in the trunk, but also many of these look very much alike. So finding the one that stands out in this abundance isnt easy either. Luxury problems..

 

[Bunjeh]

...and you'll make you're life much easier if you choose plants native to your region. Or at least choose trees that can easily handle your climate zone. Don't assume that, just because it is being sold in a local nursery it will thrive in your area.

Amen. All of my native collect (alder, Doug fir, Shore Pine, Birch, Vine Maple, Hawthorn) are head and shoulders above my purchased material in vigor and adaptability.

 

[Paradox]

Species I know I can grow and thrives for me
Trunk sized appropriate for the size of the tree
Nebari
Interesting shape for the trunk if I am not going for formal upright.
Branches or potential for developing good branches
Health

 

[Paradox]

You know, thinking about it, while it might not be something that is taught much, we do talk about choosing the right material alot.

 

[0soyoung]

I think my signature quote is still the best definition of 'good material'.
When I look at many of Walter Pall's trees, I find myself thinking, 'hell, I could make a great bonsai of that too - its just a matter of timming a few branches, blah, blah, blah'. So, the better the material, the easier it is to make a bonsai.

When I look at others of Walter's trees and other great bonsai I like, I find myself agog at 'how did he do that?'

It has taken sevveral very enjoyable years for me to learn about trees (horticulture and bonsai 'tricks') and even more time to understand why I like the bonsai I do (artistic elements). It is inescapable that my capabilities limit what might be done.

 

[M. Frary]

Plus you can build your own.
Trees like elms,trident maples,amur maples,tamaracks and others that are fast growers and can be made into suitable material fairly fast from young trees.

 

[0soyoung]

I think my signature quote is still the best definition of 'good material'.

Since I may change my signature, I should have said

The tree contains all the requirements needed to make a beautiful bonsai, it just needs time and technique.
So the real question is, is there any hope of you getting them [it] there?

 

[jeremy_norbury]

Here - I wrote this:

http://www.reddit.com/r/Bonsai/wiki/index#wiki_what_to_look_for_when_choosing_bonsai_material