Collecting California Junipers

[rockm]

Collection guilt is unfounded and is nothing but that--guilt. The number of bonsai collectors in the U.S. numbers possibly in the high 100s, and they're spread over a vast amount of territory that dwarfs Japan.

Japan: 145,000 square miles

California: 155,000
Wyoming: 97,000
Utah: 82,000
Arizona: 113,000
Colorado: 103,000
NewMexico: 121,000

United States: 1.3 MILLION square miles.

There are many reasons collecting is no longer possible in Japan. Pressure from population is but one. Natural areas are at a premium there. Japan has one of the highest population densities on the planet with 327 people per square mile.

North America has 32 people per square mile. Europe might be a better comparison as it has 134 people per square mile.

Additionally, the U.S. has an extensive system of protected lands that is almost as big as Japan itself. The National Park System is made up of 376 areas covering more than 83 million acres in every state except Delaware.

Bottom line, there is certainly no reason to scorn conscientious collecting in the U.S. There is certainly no threat from bonsai collectors acting legally. In fact, some collected trees are taken from areas where they would be destroyed in favor of "better" timber species by lumber companies for instance.

There are certainly abuses, which is why everyone that collects must be conscientious in their actions-- that includes getting permission from whoever owns the land, taking no more than they can use, being respectful of the place they're collecting in and generally not behaving like pillaging barbarians.

 

[John Ruger]

In this I agree with JKL, as bonsai beginner, I really don't understand the applause when someone retrieves a tree from the wild and creates a marvellous bonsai. I see the beauty of those trees but on the other hand I wonder how long this practice will last... Thinking about even more movable inhabitants of earth, elephants, tigers etc. I don't want to kick to someones sheens but just thinking about the future; could it end up with garden trees?

One thing to keep in mind, bonsai enthusiasts are a pretty small fraterity when it comes to those in the world who have an impact on the environment. I'm probably guessing, but I would bet that there are not too many in the bonsai world who have the skill and patience to hump over hill and dale to actually find material worth collecting-it's a tough process and not something you want to undertake without making the effort worth-your-while. I can applaud your genuine care for the environment-I think most of the good people on this site have a very deep and abiding appreciation for the gifts of nature. It's sort of like the concept of the "ethical hunter" as opposed to the "trophy collector" and the poacher. Yet, there are those who have a "LOOK AT MEEEE, LOOK AT MEEEEE" type of an attitude, but I haven't really seen that on this site...do some scoping around on other sites and you'll see what I mean.

 

[Bill S]

rock and John well said.

 

[mcpesq817]

With respect to western collectors, I know folks like Larry Jackel say that only about 1% of trees are collectable. You have to be fortunate that the tree is growing in a granite pocket so that the roots are contained within the pocket otherwise roots will run dozens of feet with feeders at the end making successful collection impossible.

 

[Smoke]

With respect to western collectors, I know folks like Larry Jackel say that only about 1% of trees are collectable. You have to be fortunate that the tree is growing in a granite pocket so that the roots are contained within the pocket otherwise roots will run dozens of feet with feeders at the end making successful collection impossible.

While roots are always an issue with collected trees, it's not the roots that are the problem. It's finding suitable material that is 1. small enough for collection..

and 2. has the character to be a good bonsai.

To just collect for the sake of collecting is irresponsible. I have always asked people that post pictures of thin trunked no imagination material collected from the floor of some urban forest that they could have gotten better material at Home Depot. It doesn't make any sense to take from nature what is available commercially.

Of course thats just me....

 

[Bonsai Nut]

When I go collecting, I often go to an "small" area that is about 200 square MILES of California Junipers. As Al pointed out, I walk past probably 100 before I see one I might consider collecting.

I will say this - one bulldozed new residential development knocks out more California Junipers than years of collecting by all US bonsai collectors combined. I have a tree that I am trying to grow out that I pulled from the top of a bulldozed pile of junipers that were left to die in the sun.

 

[Attila Soos]

I will say this - one bulldozed new residential development knocks out more California Junipers than years of collecting by all US bonsai collectors combined.

That's what I've said.

After doing bonsai for over 15 years, I believe that collecting bonsai is one of the noblest of human endeavors, in this very non-perfect world of ours. It does the least harm to our environment, and it originates from our love of nature. We are protecting and nurturing a living thing, and our goal is to create beauty. And we go to great expenses, to do that. We also have some great fun in the process. What else can be more noble?

People who try to associate this with guilt and destruction, may be well meaning, but very misinformed. I hope that during their journey, they will learn the true nature of bonsai collecting.

 

[yenling83]

I will say this - one bulldozed new residential development knocks out more California Junipers than years of collecting by all US bonsai collectors combined. I have a tree that I am trying to grow out that I pulled from the top of a bulldozed pile of junipers that were left to die in the sun.

Nice! how's it doing?

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Nice! how's it doing?

Not much to it right now because the top died back. However I love the fact that it is alive. It has a decent amount of deadwood as well.

 

[milehigh_7]

Not much to it right now because the top died back. However I love the fact that it is alive. It has a decent amount of deadwood as well.

Isn't it for the story the trees tell that we do this? It is for me. While a tree that no human has seen before tells of a struggle against nature yours tells of that plus a struggle against man. I hope it thrives under your care!

 

[bob shimon]

Barking up the Wrong Tree

I drive a Prius, recycle, compost, am concerned about global warming, and have great respect for the environment. I've also collected native trees, including junipers, for the past 25 years. There is one thing that I am sure of, and that is the small number of collectors will never make a dent in the amount of material that is available. I support protecting the environment but think that you need to find another cause. In this case you're barking up the wrong tree.

 

[rockm]

And FWIW, a good percentage of collecting isn't done on the top of some pristine mountain alongside popular hiking trails (although picturesque mountaintops are pretty darn common out west), but in out-of-the-way, sometimes rather scuzzy landscapes. I've found some of my best material at the ends of dirt service roads where trees have been run over repeatedly by 4x4's driven by drunken teenagers, roadside ditches and old abandon building lots--hardly areas that could be considered national treasures.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Here's an image for you to ponder... see "juniper pine woodland" for never-ending California junipers. And yes, I have used this map, and it is amazingly accurate.

 

[Attila Soos]

This map can be a great resource, indeed.

The only shortcoming I see is that it may not have enough detail (roads, cities, etc.), to be able to find those places colored green.

The solution may be to print a roadmap of the exact same size (and scale), and juxtapose the two maps on top of each-other.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

This map can be a great resource, indeed.

The only shortcoming I see is that it may not have enough detail (roads, cities, etc.), to be able to find those places colored green.

The solution may be to print a roadmap of the exact same size (and scale), and juxtapose the two maps on top of each-other.

I did just that - and I went to the location, and found what I was looking for. Remember, most of these locations are out in the wilderness, so there is little road access.

 

[Smoke]

I would think in the two areas circled would do the trick.

 

[Attila Soos]

I would think in the two areas circled would do the trick.

Kim's bonsai nursery has a bunch of collected California Junipers. I am guessing that the areas you've circled are from his neck of the woods.

This may be an are less well known by collectors, but without a reference map, I am just guessing.

The good thing about this vegetation map is that it shows some potential areas for junipers that you would never think of driving to.

 

[Attila Soos]

... so there is little road access.

I think that's the best thing about these areas: no roads.

But my pickup truck would probably do the job, with the risk of getting stuck in the mud once in a while. But that's why I would also load some gravel and a good shovel, just in case...