some possible starters from the gutter

StoneCloud

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So upon moving in back in Oct I noticed the gutters weren't cleaned out in ohhhh probably years from the looks of it.

I would have cleaned them but figured i would wait til spring. Here's a few reasons why:
20180114_090613.jpg

Some pines and a sweet gum on the end there
 

Anthony

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Amazing!

Gutters down here for whatever reason, don't fill like that.
Mind you further south you will find in old house gutters, willow
ficus trees.
Thanks for showing.
Good Day
Anthony
 

StoneCloud

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Bonsai people.....always looking for a new tree.

:D:D:D:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes: You know I almost felt like a fanatic for a second, but that passed quickly hahah!



@Anthony I have many huge pine trees all around the property so the gutters get filled with needles. There is also a sweet gum planted right there that dumps leaves in fall, that is all they are growing in.

Great idea @Nybonsai12 haha!
 

GGB

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there's a chance those have okay roots on em. just be ready to act quick, looks like there's some "goners" up there
 

StoneCloud

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there's a chance those have okay roots on em. just be ready to act quick, looks like there's some "goners" up there

Yea there a a few dead ones. My guess was root rot. But some look like they are doing well also.

@JoeR When is the best time approx to collect in these parts? I know timelines for general collection, but as I'm fairly new to the area, I always like to ask someone locally before I go thinkin' I know it all LOL Thanks!!
 

StoneCloud

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All nutters across the Bonsai Nut empire are slowly turning their gaze towards their gutters thinking of the possibilities for a new growing environment.
Haha.. 11 o'clock at night getting the ladder and a torch, stopped by the misses.. "what ARE you doing?".. "Going up to the gutters...", "why?" "To check for Trees mun!!" :D

LOLOL
 

StoneCloud

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Good ROR material.

Pull out the dead ones first to see what the roots do.

Nice!

Sorce

Good idea x 2 !!! Cheers!

Question, Have you ever used twine to hold the roots in place?

I was thinking about this the other day in regards to how fast it might decompose. Hopefully long enough to allow the roots to grab hold.

The posts in a thread I recently read about using twine instead of bonsai wire for holding trees in pots is what jogged that idea.
 

StoneCloud

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Cling film to the tips no? depends on the roots

Yea film is easy, and I've used wire in the past as well. I was brainstorming for alternatives.

But like you said size, amount, condition of roots etc.. will dictate what would be best.

I think twine would at least last a few months in soil. Maybe I'll test it out on one of these guys this come spring
 

JoeR

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Yea there a a few dead ones. My guess was root rot. But some look like they are doing well also.

@JoeR When is the best time approx to collect in these parts? I know timelines for general collection, but as I'm fairly new to the area, I always like to ask someone locally before I go thinkin' I know it all LOL Thanks!!
I’m not even close to a professional, but instead have followed the advice of others with good luck. I really like American Hornbeam personally, and those can be collected now until before buds begin to swell. Sweet gum are best collected in May but I haven’t had luck myself, all the ones I collected had almost no roots at all. Really just depends on if you have a species in mind. But generally I believe now is a good time. You should read Zach’s website, it’s applicable to us. It’s called Bonsai-South, he has a good bit of info on species that grow here. Elm, Hornbeam, bald cypress, oak, among others are described.
 

StoneCloud

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I’m not even close to a professional, but instead have followed the advice of others with good luck. I really like American Hornbeam personally, and those can be collected now until before buds begin to swell. Sweet gum are best collected in May but I haven’t had luck myself, all the ones I collected had almost no roots at all. Really just depends on if you have a species in mind. But generally I believe now is a good time. You should read Zach’s website, it’s applicable to us. It’s called Bonsai-South, he has a good bit of info on species that grow here. Elm, Hornbeam, bald cypress, oak, among others are described.

Cheers, yes been reading and following Zach's work for a while, good to know it applies to our zone.

I haven't seen any hornbeam on the property but still have some spots to check out. Life always getting in the way!

I have a bunch of sweet gums. Maybe I'll try collecting one now and see the response and then one later in spring. Would be saplings, but more of an experiment if anything.
 

sorce

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Twine!? Shit....
@bonhe been using twine to tie trees into pots, says it decomposes in good time.

Reckon as long as its not poly its a great idea!

Sorce
 
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