I think with the amount of roots I got (and there were a lot of small fine roots close to the trunk) it will pull thru just fine......As long as it doesn't put out too much new growth before spring....If it does I will build a small removable makeshift greenhouse against the shed and figure out a way to add some heat as needed.
I wish it had more tapper but it is what it is and I like it. Depending on how well it grows I may repot it next summer...If I do I'll pour a nice large concrete pot for it.
Brian
Did you saw it out of the ground or dig it?
One thing you you might consider next time you collect one, is cutting the root ball flat across the bottom....I typically use a sawzall for this but a good pruning saw will work as well.
Here is my logic...if it is going to have to eventually fit into a bonsai pot, it is best to go ahead and prune roots to fit at the time of collection. Otherwise, after a couple of growing seasons you will have to do major root pruning again just to get it in a pot....thus setting the tree back again...after it has already been weakened once. To me it makes more sense in all respects to do it once!
If it were mine I wouldn't even consider repotting it next season...way too soon. Besides the fact that the roots won't be ready, I think in general we tend to rush trees into bonsai containers...in my experience trees develop much faster in growing containers...big trees like BC can be an exception because of the larger containers needed.
