Collected tree timelines

[darzuo]

Curious how you guys approach the process from yamadori / collected material to styled and potted bonsai. Obviously it varies tree to tree, but is there an order of operations you follow, especially for something like pines where you never want to do too much in a year? Once the tree is sufficiently recovered from collection, do you pot first? Do a styling in place and leave it there? I've seen some videos (thinking specifically some mirai videos) where they're styling a collected tree that is already in a bonsai-size container but not styled at all. Just wondering how it got to that point and how the small root mass (that I'm assuming isn't as dense and fibrous as a tree that has spent years in development) is supporting what seems to be proportionally a lot of foliage.

Any thoughts / experiences are appreciated!

 

[rockm]

Depends on species, age etc. I wait a solid two years for any decisions on anything I’ve collected. Then I watch for very vigorous extension growth not just new buds. Two or three foot long leaders are a good sign particularly if they’re evenly distributed on the tree and not just localized.

That extension growth is allowed to grow until next season. Then work begins. But it can be selective work. For instance checking to see if the roots are following growth up top…

Deciduous species are easier to gauge. Conifers are are difficult.

Generally I pull deciduous trees out repot and do an initial styling pruning the first session. This again depends on species elm trident maple bald cypress for instance can all take that treatment

 

[MrBonsai19]

Walter Pall's guide on wild tree collecting has a really handy little chart that summarizes the journey for folks that want conservative/safe development plans:



Very helpful article: https://walterpallbonsaiarticles.blogspot.com/2009/10/collecting-trees-from-wild-english.html

 

[darzuo]

Walter Pall's guide on wild tree collecting has a really handy little chart that summarizes the journey for folks that want conservative/safe development plans:

View attachment 612397

Very helpful article: https://walterpallbonsaiarticles.blogspot.com/2009/10/collecting-trees-from-wild-english.html

Oh I remember reading this some time ago, completely forgot about it. Time to go back and revisit