tools for collecting

[gavin555595]

I am going bonsai collecting in the black hills for ponderosa pines the first week of next summer. If i could get websites, a list of tools, and a good back pack to carry some good sized trees i could use the major help thanks for your time.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

I don't know if there's a website for collecting, at least I have never seen one.

List of tools:

Pickax
Shovel
Bow saw
Burlap and twine (to wrap rootball)
WATER to water the rootball (leave in truck)

We had a separate discussion about backpacks, and I'm not sure people came up with a definitive solution...

 

[crhabq]

gavin,

Consider getting a ditching shovel if you are going to be digging in rocky ground. http://www.razorbackprofessional.com/products/detail.aspx?ProductId=1695&FamilyId=125&LineId=124

Ray

 

[monza]

I'll add a alternative to wrap root ball, heavy duty black garbage bag, electrical tape. In addition to the above tools, Folding saw, shears(clippers), crow bar, my favourite most used tool Hori Hori knife- digging, loosing things up, prying up things.

Heres a link (scroll down): to a good video to purchase on collecting .... that happens to be from the Black Hills:http://www.goldenarrowbonsai.com/goldenarrowbonsai.com/Trees_Pg1.html

 

[Ang3lfir3]

yup those are the tools we use when collecting with Daniel (Robinson) ......

tho usually we also bring along a SanAngelo bar

 

[PaulH]

Here's what I take:

-Handheld pick/mattock
-folding saw
-Hackzall rechagable reciprocating saw
-small loppers
-sharpened shovel (narrow trenching type)
-5' digging bar
- old bath towels and 5" roll of stretch wrap to wrap the root balls
- my old external frame backpack to hold everything and lots of bungie cords to hold trees on to the pack
- plenty of water
-handheld GPS to mark trees for collecting

Paul

 

[bougie nights]

All these are good suggestions. Depending on har far you go from your truck, you may want to pack a spud bar. It is great for severing larger roots. However, if your going to walk a considerable distance, it will be too heavy.

 

[Klytus]

A mule,perhaps even the lithium battery angle grinder.

Lump hammer,geologists chisels,multipronged grubber for fast removal of scree.

Paracord.

 

[Frojo]

I find a small sledgehammer and this:



to be particularly helpful.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

I forgot - if I am going into rocky areas I bring a wrecking bar. Basically a 6' long crowbar that weighs about 30 lbs.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

I find a small sledgehammer and this to be particularly helpful.

What is that called? That's a good tool - can't say that I've seen one before but I immediately see how it would be handy.

 

[sfhellwig]

It's called a shovel head with a pipe and a loaded end.

I had never thought of that. I built (had welded) my own "spud" bar for bamboo digging to sever the rhizomes. I don't know why I never thought of a smaller piece with a hammer. That would make the longer carry negligible. And I have a spare spade head sitting around right now.

 

[BrianBay9]

This is the most useful tool for me.....utility pry bar.

http://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-3320-18-Inch-Utility-Pry/dp/B000NPPB1A

 

[Dave Leppo]

[EDIT] Perhaps Dave was experiencing Technical Diffuckulties? -BNut [/EDIT]

 

[Alex DeRuiter]

I think what Dave meant to say is, "Thank you all so much for your input. This has been a very insightful thread."

 

[Klytus]

I would make certain that any tools are fit for removing great chunks of gold from the hard rock matrix.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

I would make certain that any tools are fit for removing great chunks of gold from the hard rock matrix.

I see any gold in hard rock matrix, I'll use my teeth

 

[Klytus]

You were a circus strongman in a previous life?

 

[Mike423]

By the looks of some of those lists it sounds more like your going to battle than collecting

 

[gavin555595]

im looking for tools i can hike a good couple miles with three people