That looks like a great little larch... nice taper and movement, from what I can see. I saw the beech too - I would rather have this one! But both are great.
TheSteve, the buds were just showing the slightest bits of green, and the needles you can see, I assume to be from last year. I imagine over the next week the new growth will begin to emerge.
There was still some patches of snow left on the ground in the area when I collected last monday.
I potted this one up in a mix of 60%turface and 40% pine bark. I collected it from the old out of service railroad tracks that run through the property. The tracks were laid down for the removal of iron ore from the small town that existed at the end of the 1800's. I noticed that after watering it oil is leaking from the bottom of the bin. It doesn't seem to bother the trees much as they grow in the old track bed like weeds. Just thought it was kind of interesting.
I would like to see a picture looking at the soil level. How is the nebari? I would love a larch but I don't know if it gets too hot and humid in Chicago for them. Anyone know how far south they can survive?
My plan is to let it go this year, and then lightly prune next year to encourage fuller growth. After those two seasons pass, I plan to begin work on styling. The nebari will need to be dealt with in the future. I am contemplating burying the main trunk and using the branches for a clump type planting.