Collecting in spring, after early spring.

[TGBentsze]

Hi guys!

I was overwhelemed in early spring and I didn't had time collecting yamadori. The buds have popped like a week ago, I was thinking collecting now.
What do you think about it?

If its still possible, what do you think about a full trunk chop for decidous trees? Basicly a full defoliation of the newly grown buds.

The species am thinking of collecting:
Field elm, Oak, Hawthorn, and maybe some Black Pine.

 

[Jrmcmich]

Assume if you’re experienced you might be ok. Last year was my first year collecting anything so limited experience but did 4 prior to bud break and so far all have lived this year popping buds so assume still good. Did 1 additional on a whim after buds broke and it died within about 5-6 weeks but might have been weak anyways. Just my experience which is limited.

 

[johng]

even with a full trunk chop, it terms of stored energy it is about the worst time of the year to collect trees. Trees have been dormant for months and have just expended a lot of energy to produce new leaves. Personally I think you would be more successful waiting a couple months.

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

Oak - no. Spring is best for european oaks.
Pines - no. Pinus nigra should be collected at the same time as scots; early spring.
Hawthorn - no. They will die if they aren't dormant.

Don't know about the elms.

 

[The Barber]

I would think late summer on trees that double flush would be better than right after spring leaf push. Personally I'd wait till next winter dormancy, if you have more mild winters, catch a week the ground stays thawed. I collected my first trees before Christmas and they are pushing leaves and buds now along with my spring collected trees. Elm may be ok, but I'd still give them a couple of months to regain energy. I've had my best luck with oaks collecting in winter.

 

[Attmos]

Oak - no. Spring is best for european oaks.
Pines - no. Pinus nigra should be collected at the same time as scots; early spring.
Hawthorn - no. They will die if they aren't dormant.

Don't know about the elms.

Do you know about Rose of Sharon? I know they make horrible bonsai, but they are growing out of control here, so I thought I could practice extraction with some of them.
They haven't started budding yet... so...

 

[The Barber]

Do you know about Rose of Sharon? I know they make horrible bonsai, but they are growing out of control here, so I thought I could practice extraction with some of them.
They haven't started budding yet... so...

Any tree that hasn't leafed out is a safe bet. Preferably as buds begin to swell is optimal.

 

[minkes]

Have you possibility to collect trees at higher elevation? Maybe there are still trees in dormancy. Where I live I could collect from about 500 m above sea level to 2000 m. So it gives me some different time windows to collect trees still in dormancy even if down here are in leaves.

 

[Attmos]

Any tree that hasn't leafed out is a safe bet. Preferably as buds begin to swell is optimal.

Thank you.

 

[yashu]

Never had a tree survive if collected after bud break. Stopped doing that long ago. I’ve found that collecting before the buds even swell is the best bet. I shoot for as soon as the ground is soft enough to get the plant out and in the case of larch I’ve collected them in a block of ice and that has proven to be a successful tactic.

 

[rockm]

Generally survival rates for deciduous species drops sharply if they’re collected after bud break. If you value what you’re digging up then have some patience until next spring

 

[minkes]

You could now just chop some branches to the desired profile, dig with shovel around the tree, but leave it there. You could dig it up at autumn or next spring. For autumn collecting search Google for: bonsai4me autumn collecting trees

 

[Attmos]

If you find one that could be chopped, could you chop it where it stands and wait for new growth before removing it from the ground? May be a dumb question, my guess is that you could if you think it'll still be there.

 

[minkes]

If you find one that could be chopped, could you chop it where it stands and wait for new growth before removing it from the ground? May be a dumb question, my guess is that you could if you think it'll still be there.

Definitely. I have few trees in forest I am preparing for 2-3 years now.

 

[rockm]

If you find one that could be chopped, could you chop it where it stands and wait for new growth before removing it from the ground? May be a dumb question, my guess is that you could if you think it'll still be there.

Would not chop and leave in place. Have had repeated bad experiences with that. If the tree is in a forest or has abundant vegetation growing around it can be severly weakened. Trees in wild are often competing with other trees nearby can out compete the cut tree since you have removed a substantial portion of it that allows it survive effectively . You are removing all of the future growth it has spent the last year fostering. It has invested energy into that future growth. It wil have to completely replace it in a few weeks. Removing its resources and physical presence that may have been suppressing surrounding competitors may be enough to weaken it so much it can no longer compete with its neighbors.

This can happen on a sliding scale. Some trees may be weakened more than others some will die. If you value what you’re digging have patience until next year

 

[minkes]

Would not chop and leave in place. Have had repeated bad experiences with that. If the tree is in a forest or has abundant vegetation growing around it can be severly weakened. Trees in wild are often competing with other trees nearby can out compete the cut tree since you have removed a substantial portion of it that allows it survive effectively . You are removing all of the future growth it has spent the last year fostering. It has invested energy into that future growth. It wil have to completely replace it in a few weeks. Removing its resources and physical presence that may have been suppressing surrounding competitors may be enough to weaken it so much it can no longer compete with its neighbors.

This can happen on a sliding scale. Some trees may be weakened more than others some will die. If you value what you’re digging have patience until next year

My better answer after yours is: “it depends..” but anyway, if you chop, then use healing paste