Pines in gutter. Worth collecting?

[Forrestford]

Spotted these pines in a old building gutter back in July. Any idea what species of pine they are or if they are worth collecting? The bigger one has good bark not sure how old. Any help would be great. I thought about getting them in the summer but what do you think?

 

[0soyoung]

Might they be Virginia pines? Obviously they are the offspring of a big tree or two nearby - you might be able to identify it/them referring to Virginia Tec Dendrology.

But if you have permission and a ladder, why not collect them and see what you can do? The will lift out with virtually no root damage.

When pines are this size, you can make trunks that interest you - sky's the limit!

 

[penumbra]

I can't believe you didn't snag them right away. I don't think they are Virginia pines although that would have been my first guess. They really look like White Pines.

 

[Forrestford]

I can't believe you didn't snag them right away. I don't think they are Virginia pines although that would have been my first guess. They really look like White Pines.

When I saw the big one in the summer I thought a branch had fallen. Guess not! Theres some more species up there not quite sure what its pretty high up. Maybe they are Loblolly Pine or a pond pine, idk i've been looking at native trees in my area http://www.dof.virginia.gov/infopubs/Native-Tree-ID-spreads_2016_pub.pdf . Ill try to get permission and see if I can get these out in the spring. This is a high school close to my house, I was walking my dogs but i'm always on the look out haha.
Thanks

 

[Potawatomi13]

Shallow root systems for sure and easy collect. And free? Great deal.

 

[Soldano666]

Looks like Eastern white pine. Hard telling with out details pics. If there 5 needles per fascle don't bother. You can try but plan on wasting time on something that will never be worthy. And not tpention they are small. Find some bare root better suited species. Ones that won't wast efforts. Scots, Mugo ,pitch, nigra, jbp, any two needle pine basically. You'll have Better results at the end.of our efforts. And something worth pursuing development.

 

[It's Kev]

I'm gonna side with @0soyoung and @Potawatomi13 , that's one of the easiest collections or "digs" that you'll ever have. Doesn't matter what it is, take em simply because you can

 

[JoeH]

go get 'em, free trees = not wasted effort. Really like that one in the second pic. They are essentially potted plants so they should do just fine.

 

[rockm]

Probably yellow or white pine. Not all that interesting for bonsai, but have at it. Easy pickings.

HOWEVER, I'd give the deciduous trees in that gutter a VERY close look. The one in the first photo to the right of the pine looks like it has substantial potential (And it looks like it could be an oak).

While the pines are fine, the deciduous stuff looks a very worthwhile.

 

[cbroad]

@Forrestford
Looks leggy like a young loblolly. Usually when I see volunteer pines here in VA, they're loblollies.

Here is a baby growing in my yard, yours looks similar to mine:

 

[GGB]

I agree, whatever that deciduous tree is looks a lot more suitable. Those pines are almost definitely loblolly. The most common pine in america. The needles are too long to be virginia (which would have a pruple cast on the bark in january) and the foliage looks to yellow too be white pine (which almost definitely wouldn't have bark at that age). But what do I know, I'm just a Yank. either way I'd be tempted to grab the best looking ones, they're only clogging the gutter after all

 

[Forrestford]

@Forrestford
Looks leggy like a young loblolly. Usually when I see volunteer pines here in VA, they're loblollies.

Here is a baby growing in my yard, yours looks similar to mine:
View attachment 224238

I think that’s right

 

[Forrestford]

I went back today with my d750 w/ 70-200. Overkill? I think so. But, I’m pretty sure they are loblolly, very long lines... the big pine is pretty boring looking no trunk taper, no solid lower branches I can see, not sure how much I can reduce it.. cut back and pray anyone?? Some of the smaller ones look like fun to play around with.

There’s also another tree up there not sure what it is the leaves are Kringled up. I think you guys are right, it looks like it has more potential than the rest.
I’ll wait til this weekend to try and get another look. I think I might have looked pretty creepy heading to the back of this stadium with my camera on a school day....

 

[cbroad]

I think I might have looked pretty creepy heading to the back of this stadium with my camera on a school day....

Haha I bet! I was thinking the same thing

 

[thumblessprimate1]

I say maybe to the deciduous. No, to the pines.

 

[BunjaeKorea]

I suspect these are the rare species "Pinus Gutterus Easyus to Collectus". It's Latin but you know.....they want you to collect them...... do it for the Pines.




Ps.....look like eastern white pine ...... good for landscape....... a pain for bonsai..... although not impossible..... a serious pain..... they will do the opposite of everything you want them to.

 

[Forrestford]

I suspect these are the rare species "Pinus Gutterus Easyus to Collectus". It's Latin but you know.....they want you to collect them...... do it for the Pines.

?

Ps.....look like eastern white pine ...... good for landscape....... a pain for bonsai..... although not impossible..... a serious pain..... they will do the opposite of everything you want them to.

Yeah, whatever it is, it doesn’t look the best material

 

[BunjaeKorea]

The broadleaf trees look promising though

 

[Potawatomi13]

IF Loblolly don't these grow epicormic branches? Collect all of them.

 

[Dorky_gearhead]

I'd collect every tree growing in those gutters lol.