Frenchymanny
Sapling
For the last few years I collected my trees in the wild in early spring and I got a 100% success rate. This year I decided to collect some trees in the fall. We are talking indigenous species. Thoughts?
Fall collecting
- Thread starter Frenchymanny
- Start date
BobbyLane
Imperial Masterpiece
Its not a new concept.
Im not a collector myself, but have transferred/repotted many nursery trees, mainly native deciduous, during this period:
The bare root period is the dormant season, typically from November to March, when plants are dug up and sold without soil or a pot, making them cheaper and easier to transport. During this time, the plant has ceased active growth, so its energy is focused on root storage, making it the best time for transplanting and allowing the extensive root system to establish directly in the soil.
and I repot in spring too. Depends really.
Im not a collector myself, but have transferred/repotted many nursery trees, mainly native deciduous, during this period:
The bare root period is the dormant season, typically from November to March, when plants are dug up and sold without soil or a pot, making them cheaper and easier to transport. During this time, the plant has ceased active growth, so its energy is focused on root storage, making it the best time for transplanting and allowing the extensive root system to establish directly in the soil.
and I repot in spring too. Depends really.
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rockm
Spuds Moyogi
It’s a poor alternative. Sure it can be done but it offers no advantage over early spring. More downside than up though. This is backed up in books etc. read Michael Hagedorn’s “Bonsai Heresy”. He a champion of busting bonsai myths. He is not keen on spring collecting for many reasons.
Fall collecting is a SECONDARY collection time. It’s not optimal and can reduce success. Be patient unless the tree absolutely has to be collected because of access or threat.
Fall collecting is a SECONDARY collection time. It’s not optimal and can reduce success. Be patient unless the tree absolutely has to be collected because of access or threat.
Frenchymanny
Sapling
Well this is the answer I was afraid of, and this is in line with my gut feelings
River's Edge
Imperial Masterpiece
Indigenous species would include both conifers and deciduous I believe. I consider the fall to be a poor time to collect deciduous species, and a second best time to collect conifers. The difference being the degree of root formation in the fat and the varied timing of dormancy between native deciduous and conifers. Briefly summed up conifers are a better bet and with care have a considerable success rate when collected in the fall. By this I mean just after the summer slow down of growth and before dormancy. It is best to time the collection after the dry summer period and the fall rains have started, that is when the tree puts on a spurt prior to dormancy. Shorter window, needs careful timing but is viable. Effective from my experience with Mountain Hemlock, Shore Pine, Sub alone Fir, Engleman Spruce. Thought it was worth mentioning for those who understand that fall collecting of conifers is effective if done right.
River's Edge
Imperial Masterpiece
Wondering if this was what you intended to say?
Frenchymanny
Sapling
v Springs seems to be the best time. I collected a sweet hemlock. We'll see how it goes\
rockm
Spuds Moyogi
DeepSouth
Mame
In my area, early Fall is one of, if not the worst times to collect deciduous species (I have not tried conifers). I have attempted it a few times and have had one single tree survive.
You want to collect at a time when the tree is about to (but has not yet started to) push new growth. While root growth can be strong in the Fall, the tree is still in the process of moving sugars from the trunks and branches into the roots. Typically for deciduous species, we do a trunk chop during collection and if you do that in the Fall you remove all of the tree's energy. At the same time, it now has the entire late Fall and Winter with open wounds that are not healing fast enough to prevent pathogens from entering the tree. And in some areas, including here, any new roots you do get are very vulnerable to freeze/frost so you need to protect them from that.
The line between Winter and Spring right as the buds begin to swell is the best time to collect here. Late Winter is good for most species as well.
You want to collect at a time when the tree is about to (but has not yet started to) push new growth. While root growth can be strong in the Fall, the tree is still in the process of moving sugars from the trunks and branches into the roots. Typically for deciduous species, we do a trunk chop during collection and if you do that in the Fall you remove all of the tree's energy. At the same time, it now has the entire late Fall and Winter with open wounds that are not healing fast enough to prevent pathogens from entering the tree. And in some areas, including here, any new roots you do get are very vulnerable to freeze/frost so you need to protect them from that.
The line between Winter and Spring right as the buds begin to swell is the best time to collect here. Late Winter is good for most species as well.
River's Edge
Imperial Masterpiece
What you said was he is not keen on spring collecting? that iis why I questioned it? I have the book and understand what he supports and promotes. Also one of his students for several years. That's why I questioned what you said?
"He is not keen on spring collecting for many reasons."
"He is not keen on spring collecting for many reasons."
rockm
Spuds Moyogi
Of course. Thank you for alerting me to my stupid mistype. I meant he's not keen on fall collecting.
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