collected Lodgepole pine (advice)

[Ravaginggoatman]

I collected these three Lodgepole pines just outside Lassen Volcanic National Park October 2024.
The two smaller trees are looking great but the larger I have noticed brown needles showing up. Unfortunately they are potted in a mix of the original soil from collection and a mix of organic potting soil. The smaller trees had more roots than the larger. My plan was to leave them untouched for a season or two and then repot into a better mix. I had left them out in the rain but now I'm wondering if that's just too much water. I think that the smaller trees will be fine but I'm hoping that by moving them out of the rain letting the soil dry out a bit maybe the larger tree can still survive.

 

[Tahoebonsai]

Lodgepoles can live completely submerged under water it is in fact the only high alpine pine that can so don’t worry about overwatering, I leave my lodgepoles outside with no protection from the elements as they can easily survive through -20 degrees

 

[Ravaginggoatman]

Lodgepoles can live completely submerged under water it is in fact the only high alpine pine that can so don’t worry about overwatering, I leave my lodgepoles outside with no protection from the elements as they can easily survive through -20 degrees

Thanks for the reply, fingers crossed that this spring will show signs of recovery.

 

[Tahoebonsai]

Yeah same that’s an awesome little tree, If you touch the pine needles and they poke you that’s a good sign the tree is still doing well, do they have any vigor or are they pretty soft and flimsy? I would also recommend a heat pad in the spring to promote root growth

 

[Ravaginggoatman]

Yeah same that’s an awesome little tree, If you touch the pine needles and they poke you that’s a good sign the tree is still doing well, do they have any vigor or are they pretty soft and flimsy? I would also recommend a heat pad in the spring to promote root growth

I really hope that the larger tree survives, I don't think that the pic does it justice but the movement in the trunk and the taper is fantastic. as much as I would like to have it in a better soil i think that the best thing at this time it to not disturb the roots at all. But I am interested in the heat pad.

 

[Ravaginggoatman]

I really hope that the larger tree survives, I don't think that the pic does it justice but the movement in the trunk and the taper is fantastic. as much as I would like to have it in a better soil i think that the best thing at this time it to not disturb the roots at all. But I am interested in the heat pad.

The smaller trees needles are firm but the larger tree bends a bit limp