is there any potential here?

[miker]

I know, we have several below freezing mornings forecast here over the next week, with one down to 28F. I am going to leave all my deciduous stuff (except for a few that I just had to get working on) put and see if it all stays dormant until May. Would not surprise me in the least the way things have been going.

 

[M. Frary]

I don't know lodgepole but I do know Jack.
If collected successfully gradually replace the sand it's in. None of that half bare rooting crap. Their roots are touchy. It will probably kill it. I just take mine out,shake it to get some loose sand out then work bonsai soil in.
I also let them sit for 2 years without touching them after collection.
I've collected them successfully in the spring,I have 2 I collected last fall that look like they might make it. My winter is much the same as yours. Early,cold and with loads of snow usually.

 

[morb]

this is a crazy spring for sure, i'm not going to be able to get out to the back 40 till may for sure. been looking forward to collecting this spring now spring is going to be late