Jphipps
Mame
I'm new to Washington and have been going out and hiking high into the mountains scouting out potential bonsai trees. Anyone in this area do the same?
Any yamadori collectors in the Puget Sound area?
- Thread starter Jphipps
- Start date
Jphipps
Mame
Here is one I recently scouted out.
Be careful wandering around in the woods up there. I got shot when I lived there 25 years ago and they never found the person who did it. No I wasn't hunting for trees at the time and I wasn't trespassing either. But just be careful anyways!
Jphipps
Mame
That's terrifying. I've stuck to the National Forests. I did just have a close encounter with a black bear this past weekend.
misfit11
Omono
You probably already know this but make sure you have a permit to collect trees. Even if it’s public land, you still need permission.
Jphipps
Mame
Yes, of course.
Maloghurst
Chumono
That’s a nice tree. Alpine fir? What area are you in? I don’t do any collecting because I don’t have the time etc. I do live Ins Seattle though.
Jphipps
Mame
I live in Everett. I'm not sure of the species. If anyone knows, that would be awesome!
About an hour south of Everett is the Pacific Bonsai Museum in Federal Way. Right now they're doing a display honoring Dan Robinson's influence on the bonsai scene over the decades. It'd be a great opportunity to see his work in person without having to go all the way over to the peninsula. Maybe if you get a chance to go there you might be able to get some hints from them about where to collect, etc. Then again, they may not want to to give up their secret spots!
https://www.bonsainut.com/threads/calling-all-washington-state-yamadori-collectors.16246/ Here's an older thread about collecting in western WA. Some good tips there and a couple people even offered to meet the O.P. to tour the museum or go collecting. Dont know if you'd be able to contact them still, as it has been several years. God luck!
Josh88
Shohin
I'm in Vancouver, WA just over the river from Portland. I make a few collecting trips a year in this area (Gifford-Pinchot and Mt. Hood National Forests). If you would like to join me sometime just send me a PM. I'd love to make my way up north for a dig in the near future as well if you find any good areas in your neck of the woods.
Josh88
Shohin
That looks like sub-alpine fir to me.
TyroTinker
Shohin
I live in Marysville and work in Everett. I’m not ready to keep collected material alive yet but when I do I will use this thread 
TyroTinker
Shohin
And the museum is amazing
andrewiles
Shohin
Anyone here have success collecting larches in Washington State? I see many wonderful trees while out in the backcountry but I'm usually in the off-limits Pasaytens or so far away from a vehicle that collection would be impossible, even if allowed.
There's a channel on YouTube called Kootenai bonsai Canada. On one of his videos he mentions a small latch he collected. He has several yamadori collecting videos, so it might be worth trying to reach out to him somehow.
woodkraftbonsai
Yamadori
Anyone tried getting a permit to collect? I've been attempting in Washington and it's been hellishly difficult with COVID and the ranger offices closed. Any advice?
andrewiles
Shohin
I haven't tried it yet, but plan to go looking late spring. Hopefully they can also recommend some forest service roads that get high enough to approach the sub-alpine....
Per this site we should be able to call and get a permit by phone: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/okawen/passes-permits/forestproducts/?cid=fsbdev3_053598
Per this site we should be able to call and get a permit by phone: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/okawen/passes-permits/forestproducts/?cid=fsbdev3_053598
