Some of the nicer trees I've lost.

[Dav4]

So, a recent thread here got me thinking about some of the better trees that have unfortunately died under my care. As I pointed out in that thread, it's inevitable to have some losses in this hobby, and the longer you're in the hobby and the more trees you have and work, the greater the likelihood you'll lose some. I decided to go through my older threads and note the trees that have kicked it and... holy crap, I've lost a lot of nice trees! Amazingly enough, the list is only from 2009, when I made the move from MA to GA, and there were definitely a few more that died before the move. Anyway, here's some pictures of some really good trees whose corpses are scattered about my yard...


I cringe a bit when I look at some of those images. Those trees represent years and years of blood, sweat... and tears. There certainly was a bit of money tied up in them, too, though you might be surprised to hear that the most expensive of them was the Chojubai quince, as many were purchased at discount or grown from seedlings and cuttings(the maples). Still, it does represent a significant financial loss. I'm not a rich man. I brown bag it EVERY day, and drive a 10 year old minivan... I work and scrimp and save for every penny I put into this hobby. Do I regret their loss? Absolutely. Do I regret having owned them? Absolutely not. Each one thrilled me, entertained me, made me think... Made me better hobbyist in the long run? I think so, so no regrets.

 

[Waltron]

ouch, that pine below the azalea probably is/was my favorite. RIP.

 

[Dav4]

ouch, that pine below the azalea probably is/was my favorite. RIP.

Collected lodge pole pine, about 30" tall. It, along with the Ponderosa and another collected lodge pole (not pictured) with an even cooler trunk, didn't like the move South. All were dead within 4 years of the move.

 

[Nybonsai12]

Great thread Dave. It's good to show those newer to bonsai that experienced folks kill trees too, sometimes really nice trees. Those all looked to be pretty nice.

When i go back through my thread history i see lots of trees i killed. A lot were crappy home depot material that probably deserved to die but I do have a few nice ones that i made quick work of. It happens and then ya move on.

 

[Cadillactaste]

Wow...Dave, those were some beauts...it's like ripping the band aide off. Looking at them...I think...okay, I've one major tree I have trouble with its loss. My husband of all people was most supportive when it died. Figuring what I had in it...I was nervous telling him...but, he accepted it far easier...and the brief joy it brought was good memories in his opinion. Part of the journey...thanks for sharing.

 

[Wilson]

Thanks for sharing your experiences, you are great contributor to this site. I am also bias due to the fact you are a lacrosse fan!

 

[thumblessprimate1]

I am biased, because he's a guy.

 

[Guy Vitale]

A Giant Sequoia I lost a few years back during a prolonged very cold winter. I brought this out of wintering in the garage too soon and the cold wind did not do it any favors. This one was particularly tough to lose because I had felt it was progressing along very well and there are not a lot of good examples of them as bonsai.

 

[rockm]

So, a recent thread here got me thinking about some of the better trees that have unfortunately died under my care. As I pointed out in that thread, it's inevitable to have some losses in this hobby, and the longer you're in the hobby and the more trees you have and work, the greater the likelihood you'll lose some. I decided to go through my older threads and note the trees that have kicked it and... holy crap, I've lost a lot of nice trees! Amazingly enough, the list is only from 2009, when I made the move from MA to GA, and there were definitely a few more that died before the move. Anyway, here's some pictures of some really good trees whose corpses are scattered about my yard...
View attachment 154594 View attachment 154595 View attachment 154596 View attachment 154597 View attachment 154598 View attachment 154599 View attachment 154600 View attachment 154601 View attachment 154602 View attachment 154603

I cringe a bit when I look at some of those images. Those trees represent years and years of blood, sweat... and tears. There certainly was a bit of money tied up in them, too, though you might be surprised to hear that the most expensive of them was the Chojubai quince, as many were purchased at discount or grown from seedlings and cuttings(the maples). Still, it does represent a significant financial loss. I'm not a rich man. I brown bag it EVERY day, and drive a 10 year old minivan... I work and scrimp and save for every penny I put into this hobby. Do I regret their loss? Absolutely. Do I regret having owned them? Absolutely not. Each one thrilled me, entertained me, made me think... Made me better hobbyist in the long run? I think so, so no regrets.

I'd bet that's about the same as most people who have been doing this awhile and have pushed their abilities. I know I've killed a comparable number of pretty much the same quality. I also know I have a lot of nice looking corpses rotting in the woods behind the house.

I'd also do it again, because all of those trees taught me something, some a little, others a lot.

 

[GrimLore]

Sad to see indeed. I have a Dave Bennett pot in storage he did the Ash treatment to(large pot) with the Ashes from an old Trident that just suddenly "died" - Big Dave, rest his soul said to me one time "make lemonade" while another person said "Evergreen does not mean Forever green." Thank you for not giving up - enjoy your posts

Grimmy

 

[barrosinc]

ouch

 

[Dav4]

I'd bet that's about the same as most people who have been doing this awhile and have pushed their abilities. I know I've killed a comparable number of pretty much the same quality. I also know I have a lot of nice looking corpses rotting in the woods behind the house.

I'd also do it again, because all of those trees taught me something, some a little, others a lot.

You hear the phrase "It's not the final destination but the journey there that counts". I've always considered it a bit corny, but when you look back on 20 years in it, it has been quite a trip. I have no idea where the final destination is, but I'm pretty sure there will be a few more wood corpses in my wake.

Fwiw, if anybody else would like to post pictures of some tree favorites that died too soon, feel free to do it here.

 

[namnhi]

So, a recent thread here got me thinking about some of the better trees that have unfortunately died under my care. As I pointed out in that thread, it's inevitable to have some losses in this hobby, and the longer you're in the hobby and the more trees you have and work, the greater the likelihood you'll lose some. I decided to go through my older threads and note the trees that have kicked it and... holy crap, I've lost a lot of nice trees! Amazingly enough, the list is only from 2009, when I made the move from MA to GA, and there were definitely a few more that died before the move. Anyway, here's some pictures of some really good trees whose corpses are scattered about my yard...
View attachment 154594 View attachment 154595 View attachment 154596 View attachment 154597 View attachment 154598 View attachment 154599 View attachment 154600 View attachment 154601 View attachment 154602 View attachment 154603

I cringe a bit when I look at some of those images. Those trees represent years and years of blood, sweat... and tears. There certainly was a bit of money tied up in them, too, though you might be surprised to hear that the most expensive of them was the Chojubai quince, as many were purchased at discount or grown from seedlings and cuttings(the maples). Still, it does represent a significant financial loss. I'm not a rich man. I brown bag it EVERY day, and drive a 10 year old minivan... I work and scrimp and save for every penny I put into this hobby. Do I regret their loss? Absolutely. Do I regret having owned them? Absolutely not. Each one thrilled me, entertained me, made me think... Made me better hobbyist in the long run? I think so, so no regrets.

That are a few really good trees. Love the azaleas. RIP!!!

 

[Dav4]

That are a few really good trees. Love the azaleas. RIP!!!

These were super frustrating! First, all were imported Satsuki. The two shohin and the taller satsuki in the green pot were all re-potted into straight kanuma a year after I moved. The shohin started weakening and losing branches and wer both dead by the fall. The larger one did the same thing a year or two later. The fourth one was the largest with a wonderful curving and tapered trunk with a base over 6" wide at soil level that I got on discount due to poor health. I re-potted it several times over several years and it really bounced back... until I started losing branches again. It took 2 years to go but kicked it last summer. I suspect my water is the problem, having a ph of around 8. I've been messing around with ways to lower it and 2 days ago, the ph out of the hose was 6.5 so hopefully the last 2 I have won't decline any more.

 

[Littlejoe919]

Thank you @Dav4 ! Helped alot!

 

[LanceMac10]

Thank you @Dav4 ! Helped alot!

Roy Nagatoshi's nursery........in L.A. a month ago.......


wonder what that pile costs.......

 

[LanceMac10]

the journey counts

after the journey, there is only the end......in other words, being on the throttle beats sitting at idle every day of the week!!!

Book it!!

 

[sorce]

Moving sales are now mandatory!

Dav4!

It hurts....I couldn't lose something so good, hard to imagine....

Your new stuff is better though!

Sorce

 

[StoneCloud]

@Dav4 Thanks for sharing, it is an emotional rollercoaster.......

At first I get pissed and curse etc....then it's odd I almost get a little relief that it's over.....b/c it's usually a tree that I knew was having issues, or struggling or knew/ suspected something I did in the past with it coming to bite me in the ass......

Funny too b/c when I see species of special trees I lost I'm always reminded of them...and always looking for a similar one haha!

I have some pics to dig up and contribute.......I've been sick as a dog for the last week and a half and have spent very little time on the computer with everything else piling up from not doing anything

 

[Eric Group]

Collected lodge pole pine, about 30" tall. It, along with the Ponderosa and another collected lodge pole (not pictured) with an even cooler trunk, didn't like the move South. All were dead within 4 years of the move.

Welcome to the South!