Looking for advice about my yamadori/pre-bonsai hunting

[Dauber]

I am new to bonsai and I am looking for some advice on some material. I'm not too concerned with species at this point, I'm just trying to get the hang of spotting a good "guinea pig" or two. Following are some pictures of what I considered to be potential "successes". Although, I admit that I'm not doing this to succeed. Anyway, I would appreciate some advice. Are any of these trees workable? Would any of you consider these trees to be good "guinea pigs" for me? Do you see potential? Or am I blinded by excitement for my newfound interest? Thanks!


Beech Tree. The trunk is about 5ish inches in diameter, it has 4 or 5 new "trunks". The main section of the trunk is split down the middle, which is strange.

A better view of the cleft down the middle.

Paper Birch.



Eastern Hemlock. There were a bunch of these that had been hack up by road crews(?) and munched on by deer. I'm hoping to find a couple to bring home. There were a few Eastern White Pines too.
Black Birch. These were scattered all over the place.

Pretty neat looking trunk. Healthy little trees, they're in a rough spot lol.


Beavers have been munching on some Red Maple(?) next to a lake. Have they been preparing some pre-bonsai for me?

 

[Dauber]

Sorry, I should've posted this in the "New to Bonsai" section.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

The paper birch is the best

 

[Dauber]

I thought so too. In the past week, my eyes have been drawn to Nebaris and trunk lines like they are usually drawn to shiny and bouncy objects. Will this wear off? lol.

 

[Potawatomi13]

I thought so too. In the past week, my eyes have been drawn to Nebaris and trunk lines like they are usually drawn to shiny and bouncy objects. Will this wear off? lol.

Hopefilly.

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

I thought so too. In the past week, my eyes have been drawn to Nebaris and trunk lines like they are usually drawn to shiny and bouncy objects. Will this wear off? lol.

Unfortunately, I believe this can only get worse. You're being sucked into the void, get out while you can! Or.. Make sure you have enough space to feed the addiction.

 

[Dauber]

Unfortunately, I believe this can only get worse. You're being sucked into the void, get out while you can! Or.. Make sure you have enough space to feed the addiction.

Haha, I think it's too late to reverse this process. I'm gonna see what happens. I have some space, I have some time, and I have a desire to learn. Hopefully that should be enough.

 

[BrianBay9]

Beech are not the easiest trees for a beginner. Any of these could be used for practice collecting. You probably want to dig around the base and make sure you have close in feeder roots. The ones growing in gravel sometime run a long way before you find those feeder roots.

 

[Dauber]

Beech are not the easiest trees for a beginner. Any of these could be used for practice collecting. You probably want to dig around the base and make sure you have close in feeder roots. The ones growing in gravel sometime run a long way before you find those feeder roots.

Thank kind of sucks because there are tons of beech around, all shapes and sizes. I suppose I could tinker with a few of them. I will check feeder roots on future hikes. If there are no feeder roots close to the base of the tree, is there not much chance of a successful transplant?

 

[BrianBay9]

Collected beech can fool you into thinking they've recovered, when in fact they're pushing growth from reserves. If you collect a beech with few feeders you should probably not do anything to it for a couple of years to ensure it recovers. Then styling beech is slower because they typically only push growth once a year. It's just more frustrating for beginners to do so much waiting.

Some trees will do fine with few feeders. Maple and elm come to mind. Others won't. Don't try conifers if you can't get good roots. Maybe others can suggest things in your area that are the easiest to collect.

 

[Cable]

That beech might make a fun raft forest.

 

[Dauber]

Don't try conifers if you can't get good roots.

Heh, I found some Junipers today, but I didn't take too close a look at the roots. Most of them looked like they were dying, but I think that is because of there is a lot of overgrowth around them. Maybe I'll see if I can transplant one in the spring.

 

[Dauber]

That beech might make a fun raft forest.

Ahh, nice. I just looked at some raft bonsai. Maybe I'll give it a try. Thanks!

 

[Minnesota Madman]

Dauber, did you ever collect any of these trees? I'm curious about your progress. My favorite was the 2nd black birch labeled "neat looking trunk."

 

[leatherback]

I would have gone for the first, beech!