Field Collecting Lodge Pole Pine

[James H]

What time of year Or when looking at the tree when is the best time to dig up lodge pole pine? I am at 9500ft in elevation so time of year is a little different for me so I was wondering what signs would I be looking for to tell if it is ok to dig up the tree or when it is already to late.

 

[Cypress187]

I'm a noob but i thought that if the buds pop ur to late, so just before that.

 

[James H]

Thanks, that was my understanding but I just wanted to double check. I think I still have some time as we are forcasted for snow tonight.

 

[Dan W.]

Any time after the roots thaw through spring as the buds are swelling, you should be fine. Is the tree in the ground, or in a rock pocket?

 

[James H]

its in the gravel/soil area on the top of a cut bank along side the road

 

[AppleBonsai]

Any time after the roots thaw through spring as the buds are swelling, you should be fine. Is the tree in the ground, or in a rock pocket?

"rock pocket" AKA: crack baby

 

[Dan W.]

its in the gravel/soil area on the top of a cut bank along side the road

Timing is more important when digging. Just as the buds are swelling is best. And make sure to make a wide circle around the tree. Gravel is better than regular soil; there should at least be some decent fine roots closer to the trunk.

 

[0soyoung]

Sometime after the summer solstice, like August, should be okay. You are looking for this years growth to be fully extended and needles hardened. In this state it has a high capacity for root recovery.

 

[PaulH]

I've dug all of my Lodgepoles in October at Mammoth Lakes, CA. The soil here is 100% volcanic pumice so the trees are simple to dig and almost all survive.

 

[James H]

Thanks guys, we are expecting up to 8 inches of snow tonight.......I will just have to enjoy it where it grows for now.

 

[Giga]

I have collected pine in spring and fall without issue, will be trying Sumer this year as well.

 

[Vance Wood]

I have collected pine in spring and fall without issue, will be trying Sumer this year as well.

Would you be so kind as to let me know how this goes for you? I would appreciate it greatly even if it's in a PM. I am not looking to humiliate anyone. You don't learn anything if you don't try.

 

[Giga]

Would you be so kind as to let me know how this goes for you? I would appreciate it greatly even if it's in a PM. I am not looking to humiliate anyone. You don't learn anything if you don't try.

Saying this out of pm proves otherwise....

 

[Vance Wood]

Wow!!!-----I did not mean to insult you but apparently I did. Sorry about that, forget I asked. You purposed your plan openly and I assumed you would share the results openly unless you decided not to for some reason. All I am saying is that I would like to know the results of the experiment with the assurance I would not use the results to embarrass you. I too have my suspicions about Lodge Pole Pines and the traditional methods of harvesting them.

 

[Giga]

Omg sorry I was getting rubbed the wrong way on here a lot and English not being my first language I didn't understand what you were trying to say. I will gladly share my results here. Again my apologies. I seem to be blundering all over the place today lol

 

[Vance Wood]

Don't worry about it, this is not a problem with me.

 

[wireme]

I picked up a lodgepole midsummer 2 years ago, its doing fine.

It was uprooted by the roots of a nearby tree that blew over in a windstorm, nice rootball, all dried out when I found it but it recovered, not a bad little trunk on it. It is in the ground in the forest, nice moist hummusy soil, I'll recollect next year.
I didn't expect survival so didn't want to waste bench space and watering but it surprised me.

 

[Vance Wood]

I picked up a lodgepole midsummer 2 years ago, its doing fine.

It was uprooted by the roots of a nearby tree that blew over in a windstorm, nice rootball, all dried out when I found it but it recovered, not a bad little trunk on it. It is in the ground in the forest, nice moist hummusy soil, I'll recollect next year.
I didn't expect survival so didn't want to waste bench space and watering but it surprised me.

There ya go! I am beginning to think that summer repoting is the way to go with single flush two needle Pines.

 

[wireme]

I am beginning to suspect the same for many species. The spruce I repotted last summer did very well and so did the scotch pine, that's about the limit of my personal experience so far though.

Osoyoung, I wouldn't mind hearing more of your theory regarding august timing and root recovery.

 

[0soyoung]

Osoyoung, I wouldn't mind hearing more of your theory regarding august timing and root recovery.

Is this what you are wanting? If not, we need to break it down into a bite sized pieces.

My speculation is that we cannot dig/repot when new growth is extending - otherwise its okay; but it is a complex issue.