May have found a treasure...

[Bonsaiboy]

Is there any way of turning this into a bonsai? If so, would it be possible to just take out the main trunk and leave the rest? It's in our landscaping... How many branches should I take? When should I do it?

 

[Poink88]

STOP!!!

That is an awesome piece...you need to wait for good responses before you proceed. PLEASE wait and follow their instructions!!!

PLEASE!!!

 

[Bonsaiboy]

STOP!!!

That is an awesome piece...you need to wait for good responses before you proceed. PLEASE wait and follow their instructions!!!

PLEASE!!!

Yeah I know! that's why I posted, didn't want to do some stupid newbish mistake and kill it...

 

[Poink88]

You potentially have multiple bonsai there. Some of the "branches" may have their own root system now. Something to keep in mind when you are at the collection stage.

I've collected several trees but no juniper so cannot help you.

Good luck!!!

 

[Bonsaiboy]

You potentially have multiple bonsai there. Some of the "branches" may have their own root system now. Something to keep in mind when you are at the collection stage.

I've collected several trees but no juniper so cannot help you.

Good luck!!!

Yes they do!! that's what I was hoping for, I want to take the big one, and leave all the tiny ones! thanks for the help!!

 

[jkd2572]

Wait for brain to respond he has been very successful at this. This is also not the time of year to do this so you have a while to figure it out before doing anything.

 

[Bonsaiboy]

Wait for brain to respond he has been very successful at this. This is also not the time of year to do this so you have a while to figure it out before doing anything.

Will do, thanks.

 

[tmmason10]

Looks like a sweet piece of material. Good idea waiting for some good advice from some experienced members. Worst case if you dig it up next spring, you could plant slmething else instead...

 

[berobinson82]

"May have" pssshhhhhttt!!!!

You can replace the entire bed's junipers for less than the cost of that as an established piece of yardmadori.

Sweet find. Good luck. The best advice I can offer is to leave it untouched for 2 years after you collect it.

 

[bonsaibp]

If you have the option to do so it would be best to trench close to the roots in early spring , backfill with a good draining soil and dig up the following year. If you can't do it over two years then do it in early spring and get as much root as possible. Best if you have someone who has succesfully done this before but you have time to study up on collecting. Potentiall an excellent find.

 

[Bonsaiboy]

Ok, how many branches should I take?

 

[october]

Yes, there is incredible potential here. However, no potential if things are not done correctly. If the tree is to be dug up, it should be dug up in late winter. Also, it should be done by someone with much experience. Preferrable bonsai collecting, not just general landscaping.

This tree has the potential to be a magnificent specimen. Although I do not like to put prices on things because that is not what bonsai is about. Soemtimes, it makes people realize what they actually have. This tree, with proper training and time, could easily command a price of $5,000 - $10,000 plus. Now, keep in mind, this is providing the tree survives the collection. Thrives the first 2-3 years. Then the work begins. It will take a few years to get the structure set. Then it will go into the refinement stage for the upcoming years. I am sure you will receive many replies about this tree. It is beautiful.

Rob

 

[Poink88]

For now, you can start reading then cross check with the advise you may get here...

http://www.bonsai4me.com/AdvTech/ATcollectring trees from the wild W Pall.htm

http://www.bonsai4me.com/AdvTech/ATcollectring trees from the wild W Pall Part two.htm

http://www.phoenixbonsai.com/Notes/Collecting.pdf

 

[jkd2572]

Read this thread.
http://ibonsaiclub.forumotion.com/t13984-need-some-quick-help-on-a-cedar?highlight=Juniper

 

[Bonsaiboy]

Yes, there is incredible potential here. However, no potential if things are not done correctly. If the tree is to be dug up, it should be dug up in late winter. Also, it should be done by someone with much experience. Preferrable bonsai collecting, not just general landscaping.

This tree has the potential to be a magnificent specimen. Although I do not like to put prices on things because that is not what bonsai is about. Soemtimes, it makes people realize what they actually have. This tree, with proper training and time, could easily command a price of $5,000 - $10,000 plus. Now, keep in mind, this is providing the tree survives the collection. Thrives the first 2-3 years. Then the work begins. It will take a few years to get the structure set. Then it will go into the refinement stage for the upcoming years. I am sure you will receive many replies about this tree. It is beautiful.

Rob

My jaw just dropped, I'm in no rush to get it out, and will do the process as needed. Thank you for the reply.

 

[A Random User]

2 things...

The first being that I would half to disagree regarding the assessed value...
I agree, that the material you have found is worth retrieving... but, I also
know this isn't some long lost, one of a kind find, many a yard across the
US will have similar material.

The second being, that this will have roots spread out in all directions...
underneath all the other Juni's... It will not be hard to retrieve... just extremely
time consuming, and you will end up having to remove all the surrounding
plants around it, just to try and obtain as much of the roots as possible.
They can more than likely be re-planted if you are careful, when removing these
other plants.

Keep all the roots you can maintain, and wrap them in a circle and pile them into
a training pot. I have had to dig these out in the middle of summer, surrounded
by other plants as yours is... Took about 8 hrs. of removing soil all by hand, one
scoop at a time.

I wouldn't trench it... I would just stress it out the once, get it over with, and
let it recover for 2, 3 yrs., or more.
Misting the foliage is key to junipers survival.

 

[Bonsaiboy]

2 things...

The first being that I would half to disagree regarding the assessed value...
I agree, that the material you have found is worth retrieving... but, I also
know this isn't some long lost, one of a kind find, many a yard across the
US will have similar material.

The second being, that this will have roots spread out in all directions...
underneath all the other Juni's... It will not be hard to retrieve... just extremely
time consuming, and you will end up having to remove all the surrounding
plants around it, just to try and obtain as much of the roots as possible.
They can more than likely be re-planted if you are careful, when removing these
other plants.

Keep all the roots you can maintain, and wrap them in a circle and pile them into
a training pot. I have had to dig these out in the middle of summer, surrounded
by other plants as yours is... Took about 8 hrs. of removing soil all by hand, one
scoop at a time.

I wouldn't trench it... I would just stress it out the once, get it over with, and
let it recover for 2, 3 yrs., or more.
Misting the foliage is key to junipers survival.

Ok, thank you for the info. When should this be done? And secondly, isn't it all one plant?

 

[tmmason10]

Let's not worry about the value just yet, lets worry about getting acclimated in a pot successfully then talk money. Either way, do you due diligence because this tree definitely had potential to being a good bonsai.

 

[Bonsaiboy]

Let's not worry about the value just yet, lets worry about getting acclimated in a pot successfully then talk money. Either way, do you due diligence because this tree definitely had potential to being a good bonsai.

When should the process be done? I've had people say spring, winter, and summer.

 

[Redwood Ryan]

When should the process be done? I've had people say spring, winter, and summer.

As has been said already, late winter to early spring.