Saw a ERC on a construction site

[ETN_bonsai]

And I had to grab it.
It would have been better if I could have waited until spring, but the options were limited. I’m not sure if I’d be back and there was danger of damage or destruction due to a roadway.
Assuming it survives the winter, I’m struggling with how to style the tree. The trunk lines and larger primary branches caught my eye. Then once we’d dug it and got it home, I realized I had no idea how to style it.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

We need to start calling these things Eastern Red Junipers - because that's what they are

I wouldn't worry too much about styling it right now. Just get it healthy. You've got a lot of options - including a ton of lower buds that you could work with. Wait until the late spring and we'll see what we have.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

I agree with BNut, nothing to do now but get the tree healthy, Let it grow. I would give it a year or so, but I have enough other projects that putting off another project is easy for me. Letting it settle in for a year has some advantages, but you can get started next spring or early summer, post new photos then as BNut suggested and the "crowd" will help you with ideas.

 

[ETN_bonsai]

I’m definitely not planning on doing anything to it other than trying to get it into a temporary pot. We took a large mass of dirt with the tree. The three of us that dug and loaded the tree work together and regularly lift and load concrete finishing machines. They weigh about 275 pounds. This felt noticeably heavier. I’m not entirely sure what to do with regards to a pot until it can get established and healthy. I might try to build a wooden pot and put it in there for the winter. Right now it’s sitting on a piece of plywood on a wheelbarrow.

 

[Ja_De]

Tree - mendous find!

Could you possibly put her back in the ground? Dig a "pot" so to speak. You brought a good bit of soil back too, perhaps mix in some sand and promote fine root growth next season... Anyways, as others have offered get the tree growing and when answers about how to develop the tree are needed, they'll be there.

Once again, beautiful tree. You did well.

 

[ETN_bonsai]

I considered dirt potting the tree in the small ‘field’ behind our house. It gets the most sun of any part of the property here. Unfortunately, this tree was in a very shaded area when it was harvested. It might have received 30-60 minutes of direct light this time of year, maybe two hours at the very best time. Should I consider a shade cloth for a while until the tree has more time to aclimate?

 

[penumbra]

We need to start calling these things Eastern Red Junipers - because that's what they are

I tend to agree, although it opens a rather significant can of worms.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

I tend to agree, although it opens a rather significant can of worms.

I go with the Latin name: Juniperus virginiana

 

[ETN_bonsai]

Minor update.
My wife and I were at Lowe’s and spotted this 35 gallon landscaping pond bowl/pot/bucket.

I’d considered building a wooden pot, but the money would have been similar by the time I got a suitable piece of plywood.
I’d also considered ground planting the tree, but we have two male dogs that tend mark EVERYTHING in the yard…and I didn’t want to worry with that.

So, this is what I ended up with.


Hopefully this set up carries the tree though until spring ‘26 when I’ll give it its first…or, technically, second repot. I built a small flat dolly with some scrap 3/4 plywood and 3” wheels I had laying around. At least it’s somewhat mobile.

 

[ETN_bonsai]

I’ve passed the two week mark on this tree’s collection. It’s pushing new growth on most of its branches and seems healthy overall. I’ve been gradually moving it into more sun each week since it was pulled from a very shaded area.


I have a 50% shade cloth and I’ve considered moving it (if it can be wrangled there in it’s current form) to an area of full all day sun. I’ve also considered some fertilizer since it seems to want to grow some new foliage. What’s the consensus on these ideas?

 

[Aaron S.]

That tree has great potential. I like the movement in the trunk. Just keep her happy and healthy for now.
I wonder how it got the name ERC instead of ERJ...

 

[Ruddigger]

The basket should work well, as long as you drilled some holes. Also, don’t use plywood for making boxes, it can’t hold up to the moisture. I use cedar fence pickets for most of my boxes, it lasts longer.

 

[Paradox]

And I had to grab it.
It would have been better if I could have waited until spring, but the options were limited. I’m not sure if I’d be back and there was danger of damage or destruction due to a roadway.
Assuming it survives the winter, I’m struggling with how to style the tree. The trunk lines and larger primary branches caught my eye. Then once we’d dug it and got it home, I realized I had no idea how to style it.

Good find. However its hard to give advice when we have no idea where in the world you are
Can you please add your city/state to your profile so we can give you the best advice based on your location?
A lot of bonsai advice is location dependent
Thanks

 

[Orion_metalhead]

1. Agree with leaving it to recover until next year.

2. Looks like great movement for a juniprrus virginiana.

3. If you work in construction, 2x4 and 2x6 scrap make great grow boxes. Pallet wood slats for the bottom. I take home a ton of scrap wood annually for grow boxes.


5. Location?

6. My biggest concern would be rust. Most Virginiana from the landscape are infected. You may want to dormant spray with copper this winter/early spring. Once recovered, cut out any infected branches possible.

 

[ETN_bonsai]

That tree has great potential. I like the movement in the trunk. Just keep her happy and healthy for now.
I wonder how it got the name ERC instead of ERJ...

When I saw it from over the fence, I had to investigate. I quickly contacted the property owner and made sure it was ok with him if I harvested it.
As for the naming…I’m not sure, but life is confusing.

The basket should work well, as long as you drilled some holes. Also, don’t use plywood for making boxes, it can’t hold up to the moisture. I use cedar fence pickets for most of my boxes, it lasts longer.

I drilled about 8-10 1/2” holes around the bottom. There was a large void under the root/dirt mass that I recovered. So I filled the void with some uncolored pibe bark. I figured it would be lightweight, drain well, and not cost much at all. As for my consideration of using plywood, I have scrap pieces in abundance from work.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Plywood will swell and rot out. If you can get dimensional lumber, it would be a better option.

 

[ETN_bonsai]

Good find. However its hard to give advice when we have no idea where in the world you are
Can you please add your city/state to your profile so we can give you the best advice based on your location?
A lot of bonsai advice is location dependent
Thanks

6a-7b according to the interwebs. I’m in the low lands of the county, so it’s not the coldest area of the county.

1. Agree with leaving it to recover until next year.

2. Looks like great movement for a juniprrus virginiana.

3. If you work in construction, 2x4 and 2x6 scrap make great grow boxes. Pallet wood slats for the bottom. I take home a ton of scrap wood annually for grow boxes.
View attachment 574414

5. Location?

6. My biggest concern would be rust. Most Virginiana from the landscape are infected. You may want to dormant spray with copper this winter/early spring. Once recovered, cut out any infected branches possible.

I’ve got mountains of scrap at our project house. For some reason, that fact eluded me when I got the pond…
I’ve got some copper spray laying around. I’ll apply it this winter.

 

[Paradox]

6a-7b according to the interwebs. I’m in the low lands of the county, so it’s not the coldest area of the county.


I’ve got mountains of scrap at our project house. For some reason, that fact eluded me when I got the pond…
I’ve got some copper spray laying around. I’ll apply it this winter.

Thank you for doing that

Now that I know where you are, my advice would be to leave the tree alone and I would keep it outside while it stays mild.
Just water it when it needs it and keep an eye on it, thats it
If you are going to get temperatures below 35 or so, I would give it more protection.
Since you have just dug/repotted it, it will probably be more sensitive to cold than usual.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

If you are going to get temperatures below 35 or so, I would give it more protection.
Since you have just dug/repotted it, it will probably be more sensitive to cold than usual.

Agree, Id find a sheltered spot once it bronzes to overwinter. Consider 4" of clean cedar mulch around and on top of the soil. Should be good to temps around 20deg f. Below that, I may bring it into an unheated space for short periods.