Free Bonsai-Collecting from the wild
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Collecting bonsai from the wild
The statement often put forth in collecting circles “bonsai are where you find them” is one of the ultimate truths in finding “yamadori” commonly known as wild bonsai.
In this article I will discuss some advantages of collecting wild material, techniques and where to look when collecting bonsai from the wild.
Legal Stuff
Before anyone attempts to collect anything from the wild there are some precautions one must consider, First and foremost, is it legal ? Many states have permitting systems that allow private citizens to forage and collect non-endangered plant species for personal or even commercial use for a reasonable fee. Most local agricultural and or forestry services can assist with the local laws regarding collecting on public lands. For private lands always seek out the land owner for permission. Following these simple rules collectors can avoid any legal issues and expensive fines. Always respect the land owners wishes, pick up trash, fill holes by doing so you ensure future accessibility.
Advantages of collecting from the wild – free trees
One obvious advantage of collecting local wild species is they typically do not need special environmental conditions to maintain health such as a heated green house for winter protection. Many of the species that a student might consider may even be pest species where the local environmentalists “could care less” even celebrate you digging them up.
Another serious advantage is the material is free for the taking, and if for some reason it dies you haven’t lost several hundred dollars of investment unlike if it were a purchased tree from a bonsai nursery.
Some examples of material to consider for the northeastern United States ;
Virginia Creeper, Boston Ivy, This is a vine species that is fast growing forms very nice old looking trunks. Very nice for Cascade or semi cascade styles. Grows in low land, stream and riverbed flood plains.
Eastern red ceder, Juniperus virginiana, Which is not a cedar but rather a juniper. Old bark is formed on very young trees. This species forms upright tree like forms. Great tree for all styles including forest plantings. Commonly grows in poor soils or rich in lime stone, active or abandoned rail or trolley lines are a good place to look. This tree can be ancient and is very forgiving in terms abuse at the hands of the student
Honey suckle, Lonicera.sp, This species is easy to collect can be used for most styles of bonsai and develops very old looking bark very quickly. The best place to look for this species is near water ways, moist fields, old flood plains old homesteads.
Okay so, these bonsai are free- When can I get them ?
In general the best time to collect wild species to use as bonsai is in the early spring when the frost is out of the ground and before the buds begin to swell. In Massachusetts this is between March and the end of May depending on how harsh the winter. Another option is fall just as the trees drop their leaves and become dormant. However, spring is preferred because the plant has the entire summer recuperate. In the fall one has to be careful to be sure to get enough roots and not trim too much off to compromise the plant for next spring.
It should be noted that the primary focus for the first year after collecting is simply keeping the plant alive. Collecting is very stressful to plants and the student can cause their demise rather quickly if one rushes the process. Be vigilant of the plant health, if the plant appears week put off working on it until it looks vibrant and putting on new growth.
Collecting tools – what do I need?
In reality the tools you commonly use in the garden make good collecting tools. But the collecting environment also dictates what you should bring. For our proposes we will consider the environment to be a river bed or flood plain.
A good sturdy digging tool is a must. This can be an adze, or folding shovel, a good houri knife or garden trowel. Shears to trim roots and branches. A folding tree saw is a must, to cut through thick roots. Trash bags,13 gallon, to wrap plants in and of course a good back pack to stuff everything in.
All Packed and ready to go ? -Time to collect bonsai from the wild.
Assuming you’ve taken the proper precautions as was discussed earlier in this article and there are no busloads of tourists around with cameras to capture your first collecting event we can proceed. We are now hiking out onto that collecting spot you’ve been eyeing all year. You’ve noticed some very cool looking Virginia creeper plants that you covet.
You toss the pack pull out that brand new adze and start ripping a trench around the plant right
Ah no!
Virginia creeper is one of the easiest plants on the planet to collect you don’t need roots all you need is to identify a growth node along the trailers of the main vine, snip-snip and you’re good.
If you follow the vine along the ground you will see areas where the vine has formed a knot about the size of a walnut or larger. They are easy to spot because they will typically be rooted as well. All that needs be done is to cut the nodule off of the vine. Don’t worry about roots, plant that nodule in good potting soil and within 3-6monts and you have something to work with.
Next down the path I see a shrub with brown peeling bark and small ovate opposite green leaves.
Looks like a honey suckle. Honey suckle does not necessarily need roots but take them if you can get them . Start by digging a small trench around the plant at what I call the drip edge. This is the maximum point where rain will drip off the leaves in full bloom. Dig down about 5 -8 inches simply cut off the bottom of the plant. Try to keep the soil intact for now, bag and tag and you are on your way.
Well it just so happens there is a rail road line right through your collecting field and you scan down the line and these nice little green fluffy mounds catch your eye. Upon closer examination you notice they are Virginianis. We will need to be more careful with this guy because you will need roots with this one. Typically, you will have the added difficulty of the railroad underlay of large chunks of trap rock to contend with. This is where the houri knife and the pick end of the adze come into play. Use the same technique you did with the honey suckle. Start at the drip edge and dig a trench around the plant at least 8 -10 inches down. Start slowly removing rock and soil working toward the trunk until you start encountering roots. Then trace the roots as far as is practical make sure you get as many fine feeder roots as possible. Do not let the roots dry out so use nearby water sources to keep things moist.
Once you have as much of the root system as possible snip the plant free. These will usually be bare rooted so pack the plant in moist soil what ever is handy bag and away you go.
Pot these plants up in conventional potting soil for the first year to get them established before transitioning to bonsai soil. Also, keep them shaded for a couple of weeks after collecting to help get them established
Conclusion
In conclusion remember, always respect the landowners and ask permission whenever possible
don’t ever take more than you can take care of and fill all holes. Know the local laws and acceptable collecting practices, required permits and avoid any endangered plants.
We wish you success in your collecting wild bonsai. Please feel free to leave comments or ask questions and we will do our best to help where we can.
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