Urban juniper-beginner job?

[CrippyFreaky24]

Hey guys. So I have collected 1 tree so far, a bittersweet vine that’s surviving right now. I collected it late spring and I could honestly probably get more root ball practice in by collecting more whenever I want, as they’re super invasive here in pa and I have tons of them. Anyways, I found a Really cool urban juniper that id love to collect, If I get permission. The question is, would a small-ish juniper be suitable for a beginner to attempt to collect? I have tried to research this however I couldn’t find a clear answer. Ive seen people say go ahead to saying absolutely not. The trunk is maybe a few inches wide, my age guess is probably around 40 years, maybe younger. Looks like it could be older though so not sure really. But this I think would be a really cool specimen to get. I’m just not sure if a juniper is suitable for a beginner however. I would not want to kill this specimen though due to being a beginner.

 

[Paradox]

First, where in the world are you?
Please put your location on your profile so we don't have to repeatedly ask.

Collecting trees is highly dependent on species and season.
It is a bit late in the year to collect junipers. The best time is early spring. Second best is fall IF you can provide good winter protection. If you cant, wait until spring.

 

[CrippyFreaky24]

First, where in the world are you?
Please put your location on your profile so we don't have to repeatedly ask.

Collecting trees is highly dependent on species and season.
It is a bit late in the year to collect junipers. The best time is early spring. Second best is fall IF you can provide good winter protection. If you cant, wait until spring.

Im in PA. I thought I already did that before. I see I guess I didn’t. How do I do that? Because I can’t seem to figure it out.

 

[Paradox]

Im in PA. I thought I already did that before. I see I guess I didn’t. How do I do that? Because I can’t seem to figure it out.

It's under your account details in your profile. Probably have to remember to hit save

 

[Shogun610]

Im in PA. I thought I already did that before. I see I guess I didn’t. How do I do that? Because I can’t seem to figure it out.

E, W in pa ?

 

[CrippyFreaky24]

It's under your account details in your profile. Probably have to remember to hit save

I got it, thank you.

E, W in pa ?

W pa.

 

[Shibui]

That's a cool looking trunk but junipers are quite difficult to transplant unless you know what they need and what they need for transplant is a bit different to many other species.
My advice is to get a bit more experience with transplanting generally and work with junipers a bit to learn more before risking killing that nice tree.

 

[CrippyFreaky24]

That's a cool looking trunk but junipers are quite difficult to transplant unless you know what they need and what they need for transplant is a bit different to many other species.
My advice is to get a bit more experience with transplanting generally and work with junipers a bit to learn more before risking killing that nice tree.

That’s what I’m unsure about. I’ve studied and read on collections of other species, mostly deciduous because here in pa there isn’t really any good/rocky mountains to collect pine from. However it’s hard to find information specifically on juniper, so I’m not sure what the differences are in collection and aftercare.

 

[rockm]

That’s what I’m unsure about. I’ve studied and read on collections of other species, mostly deciduous because here in pa there isn’t really any good/rocky mountains to collect pine from. However it’s hard to find information specifically on juniper, so I’m not sure what the differences are in collection and aftercare.

I would wait on this for a few years. As said, junipers are not easy to collect, particularly if the soil is compacted, heavy or clay-based. Soils here in the Eastern U.S. are not the same as out west. They tendto be heavier and more organic, roots on tree adapt accordingly.

If you really want to get this one, leave it be. Get some practice on junipers with lesser qualities in similar soil. Learn on those a few years (you can't bare root junipers like you can bittersweet and other tough deciduous species). Aftercare is also different.

FWIW, I've got my eye on similar smashed up junipers living in a parking lot near me.

 

[CrippyFreaky24]

I would wait on this for a few years. As said, junipers are not easy to collect, particularly if the soil is compacted, heavy or clay-based. Soils here in the Eastern U.S. are not the same as out west. They tendto be heavier and more organic, roots on tree adapt accordingly.

If you really want to get this one, leave it be. Get some practice on junipers with lesser qualities in similar soil. Learn on those a few years (you can't bare root junipers like you can bittersweet and other tough deciduous species). Aftercare is also different.

FWIW, I've got my eye on similar smashed up junipers living in a parking lot near me.

Wow. It’s amazing how junipers can grow like that in parking lots and look as rough as the ones grown in the mountains.

The things that give me confidence with this one are that it’s small and it wiggled a little bit when given a gentle wiggle test. By don’t bare root, do you leave just it’s roots in some native soil or it is potted in its soil? I know a misting system is critically more important for junipers than it is other trees too. Do you recommend a source/person for learning specifically about collecting junipers? I agree with you though on practicing with less quality material. However, I don’t know how to go about finding it.

 

[rockm]

Wow. It’s amazing how junipers can grow like that in parking lots and look as rough as the ones grown in the mountains.

The things that give me confidence with this one are that it’s small and it wiggled a little bit when given a gentle wiggle test. By don’t bare root, do you leave just it’s roots in some native soil or it is potted in its soil? I know a misting system is critically more important for junipers than it is other trees too. Do you recommend a source/person for learning specifically about collecting junipers? I agree with you though on practicing with less quality material. However, I don’t know how to go about finding it.

Join the local club. There is an EXCELLENT bonsai community in Western Pa.

 

[Deleted member 47471]

Hey guys. So I have collected 1 tree so far, a bittersweet vine that’s surviving right now. I collected it late spring and I could honestly probably get more root ball practice in by collecting more whenever I want, as they’re super invasive here in pa and I have tons of them. Anyways, I found a Really cool urban juniper that id love to collect, If I get permission. The question is, would a small-ish juniper be suitable for a beginner to attempt to collect? I have tried to research this however I couldn’t find a clear answer. Ive seen people say go ahead to saying absolutely not. The trunk is maybe a few inches wide, my age guess is probably around 40 years, maybe younger. Looks like it could be older though so not sure really. But this I think would be a really cool specimen to get. I’m just not sure if a juniper is suitable for a beginner however. I would not want to kill this specimen though due to being a beginner.

Hi there! The Juniper looks neat and has plenty of age and character. Impulsively, I would say, "Go for it!" but I also believe you would benefit more in the long run by beginning with nursery stock or already refined but younger Juniper. My reasoning is as follows:

1. You can practice the horticultural fundamentals of growing and maintaining the health of Bonsai in general
2. You will get practice with slip-potting and repotting
3. Having younger and more pliable material will allow you to begin/practice and improve your technique for styling (pruning, wiring, raffia, etc.)
4. You will develop confidence as an enthusiast by tracking your progress, reaping the rewards of your patience and efforts, and learning from mistakes
5. If a younger/beginner project fails, you can practice with various tools to make jin/deadwood
6. Also, you can practice pruning and wiring on healthy branches removed from young material

I'm working on a several-year project for my first Green Mound Juniper. By next year, the tree will undergo structural work by basically chopping the tree nearly in half. When I make that major cut, the trunk, 1st, and 2nd branches will be used as practice for wiring and creating pads, crushing bark, stripping away, and creating deadwood. Go through the natural course of being a Bonsai beginner!