Thoughts on this yamadori Juniper?

[Slimjim1187]

Hi, this is one of probably 10 junipers in an entire nature preserve in upstate NY that I’ve found, and the only “interesting” one. I’m thinking about collecting it early next Spring. I don’t think the rocks are much of an issue; it seems that the roots most likely lead into a fairly accessible pool of soil.

What I like about it is the trunk and unique root structure (seems to have 3 main roots).

Problem might be: how could these 3 roots which sort of enter the soil horizontally be highlighted in a vertical pot? Any ideas out there?

I’ve collected junipers successfully before, but I’m not an expert by any stretch.

Thanks in advance for advice!

 

[Joe Dupre']

Interesting, to be sure. That might not be enough to make it into a nice bonsai..............UNLESS it really speaks to you and you just have to have it. Personally, I would pass and keep looking. Chances are, in that landscape, there would probably be better ones in the area.

 

[WNC Bonsai]

You’ll likely kill it trying to extract those roots from the crack in the rock. The first rule of collecting yamadori is don’t try if there is any doubt you can do it without killing the tree.

 

[nuttiest]

nature preserve in upstate NY

I wanna kick your ass, but some things shouldn't be attempted

 

[LeftHandLuke]

The first rule of collecting yamadori is don’t try if there is any doubt you can do it without killing the tree.

Thank you! Agree 1,000%

 

[LeftHandLuke]

I’m not an expert by any stretch.

Then don't do it. Just don't. Please.

 

[Slimjim1187]

I wanna kick your ass, but some things shouldn't be attempted

Come off it, dork.

I bet I’m one of three people in the last decade who have even walked within eyeshot of the tree. This isn’t a great sequoia. Get a grip.

 

[bonsaichile]

The question is not whether you can successfully collect it; it is whether any of your collected trees is still alive 2 or 3 years after collection. If you cant keep them alive, then dont collect old trees. Respect the tree. Especially if they are old

 

[Slimjim1187]

Then don't do it. Just don't. Please.

I appreciate the several comments that note the trickiness of this particular tree.

I’ll try to get a better picture of the root base. I want to see if you still feel that way after seeing how the tree really sits in the ground.

 

[bonsaichile]

Come off it, dork.

I bet I’m one of three people in the last decade who have even walked within eyeshot of the tree. This isn’t a great sequoia. Get a grip.

Just one observation: trees dont exist for people. The fact that you are the only one that's walked by a tree in decades is irrelevant. Whether you can or cant keep this tree aLive is the only relevat question here. Otherwise, it's just an ego thing. The opposite of what yamadori (which as a practice is rooted in chan buddhism) is supposed to be

 

[Slimjim1187]

Just one observation: trees dont exist for people. The fact that you are the only one that's walked by a tree in decades is irrelevant. Whether you can or cant keep this tree aLive is the only relevat question here. Otherwise, it's just an ego thing. The opposite of what yamadori (which as a practice is rooted in chan buddhism) is supposed to be

Fair points and certainly important ones for a novice like me to hear. I will think more about it.

But I think there’s always a risk that a tree won’t survive when taken from the wild, even in the perceived to be simplest cases. This would leave your philosophy in a tough state. When would it ever be ok to collect a wild tree?

Further, there’s a possibility a collected tree would survive longer as a bonsai than in the wild. As I mentioned, the entire nature preserve has a single juniper (this one) of any size. The other 10 I found (and I scoured the entire 10s of acres preserve) were saplings. Based solely on that, I think it’s unlikely this one will survive terribly long in this location anyway, as it doesn’t appear terribly suitable for junipers.

 

[LeftHandLuke]

Come off it, dork.

I bet I’m one of three people in the last decade who have even walked within eyeshot of the tree. This isn’t a great sequoia. Get a grip.

This comment says more than you realize about your character. I don't think you belong in this forum and suggest you leave.

 

[Slimjim1187]

This comment says more than you realize about your character. I don't think you belong in this forum and suggest you leave.

Elaborate

 

[LeftHandLuke]

Elaborate

You're an asshole.

 

[Slimjim1187]

This comment says more than you realize about your character. I don't think you belong in this forum and suggest you leave.

You're an asshole.

That was useless

 

[Orion_metalhead]

A few comments:

1. Its illegal to collect if its on a nature preserve. Youd need permission from the state to collect.

2. Its a juniperus virginiana - eastern red cedar - there are well documented difficulties with the species as bonsai and even in the hands of veteran highly experienced professionals, they are difficult to work with.

3. I believe it is not likely to survive collection.

4. They grow fast. If you want to experiment with them as root over rock, you can get a better result by growing a small seedling over a rock.

5. Dont break the law for a tree that will likely not make it after collection.

 

[JoeWilson]

If you want to collect something, figure out where in your area you can dig, legally and with permission, and start from there. Look into what invasive species are in your area, and start with those. You can often get permission to dig these up on public land or even private land if you ask nicely (most people will be happy for you to remove invasive trees from their property). When you kill the first 5 or 10, you’ll be doing a public service. If you manage to keep some of them alive, consider digging up nicer trees.

If you really need to scratch this itch, join a local bonsai club and find someone who can mentor you on collecting, where you can do it, what sorts of trees make sense, etc.

 

[ShimpakuBonsai]

If you collect for bonsai you want fine feeder roots close to the trunk and I think this tree doesn't have those and therefore is it not really suitable for bonsai.

 

[leatherback]

Don't attempt to colelct this. There is a 99% chance it will not live.

nature preserve in upstate NY

The absolute worst place to go collecting. Stay the * away with your spade.

As I mentioned, the entire nature preserve has a single juniper (this one) of any size. The other 10 I found (and I scoured the entire 10s of acres preserve) were saplings.

All the more reason to leave it alone. If there are only 10 or so of a species in a whole reserve, these are all needed to rebuild a presence.

Come off it, dork. [snip] Get a grip.

Not sure what triggered this, but uncalled for.
This is not reddit.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

It's an Eastern Red Juniper (that people call an Eastern Red Cedar or ERC). It is not a good candidate for bonsai due to its sparse growth habit. You are seeing it in its immature needle growth stage - once it grows a little more and develops mature scale foliage you will see it is very leggy looking. I have an uncountable number of these trees on my property from seedlings up to large ones (60' tall). If you want one, and don't mind paying for shipping, I can send you one, and you don't have to worry about collection.