Hi Woodland Spirit, and welcome to the forum!
I haven't been on B-nut as much lately, but I used to spend WAY too much time here... lol. If that's possible. I hope to be on here more again soon. - For some background, I collect trees (some very old) from the Rocky Mountains here in Wyoming.
My opinion of you pinion: I like it. Have fun with it! You only "need" to put it in the ground if you're after a larger, fatter tree. There is honestly no reason you can't create an elegant bonsai out of this tree as soon as it's ready to be worked on. I think many people get confused by looking only at the big shows for their inspiration. All you need is the horticulture (which it sounds like you have a good grasp on) and a bit of artistic vision for what you'd like to see the tree become, along with time and technique. It will grow bark over the years.
Don't loose the ability to see beauty in the small simple trees. If a person is "doing it right" you can find just as much joy working on a small tree like this as you can working on a 300 year old collected pine or a masterpiece bonsai worth thousands. Sure the older, expensive trees are far more likely to win a big show, but if winning shows is the only reason people do bonsai then they are missing the most meaningful parts of bonsai.
I hardly ever read the beginner threads any more, because I'm incredibly sick of how often people are told their tree is worthless and to stick it in the ground for 10 years. Bonsai is about growing and enjoying trees in pots. Start with what you have, and if you decide you want bigger older trees.. then follow the techniques to get there or buy/collect them.
You've already gotten some great advice! I really liked what Leo had to say, and I don't necessarily disagree with others ideas to help you along with older trees, it's just not necessarily necessary, unless that's what you want.
Dan
I haven't been on B-nut as much lately, but I used to spend WAY too much time here... lol. If that's possible. I hope to be on here more again soon. - For some background, I collect trees (some very old) from the Rocky Mountains here in Wyoming.
My opinion of you pinion: I like it. Have fun with it! You only "need" to put it in the ground if you're after a larger, fatter tree. There is honestly no reason you can't create an elegant bonsai out of this tree as soon as it's ready to be worked on. I think many people get confused by looking only at the big shows for their inspiration. All you need is the horticulture (which it sounds like you have a good grasp on) and a bit of artistic vision for what you'd like to see the tree become, along with time and technique. It will grow bark over the years.
Don't loose the ability to see beauty in the small simple trees. If a person is "doing it right" you can find just as much joy working on a small tree like this as you can working on a 300 year old collected pine or a masterpiece bonsai worth thousands. Sure the older, expensive trees are far more likely to win a big show, but if winning shows is the only reason people do bonsai then they are missing the most meaningful parts of bonsai.
I hardly ever read the beginner threads any more, because I'm incredibly sick of how often people are told their tree is worthless and to stick it in the ground for 10 years. Bonsai is about growing and enjoying trees in pots. Start with what you have, and if you decide you want bigger older trees.. then follow the techniques to get there or buy/collect them.
You've already gotten some great advice! I really liked what Leo had to say, and I don't necessarily disagree with others ideas to help you along with older trees, it's just not necessarily necessary, unless that's what you want.
Dan