My first Yamadori, and biggest project....

[Klytus]

Did you notice any fungal activity around the roots or perhaps smell a mushroomy odour when digging?

Do you have any of it's native soil lingering in the collection bag or in the truck bed?

 

[Redwood Ryan]

I do have some natural soil, yes. But I did not smell any odors while digging it. Actually, now that I think of it, there was a small mushroomy odor...

 

[Klytus]

Beaver Bonsai is all new to me,you would think that their food or lodge building materials would respond well to periodical coppicing.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Well, sadly I already potted it after this was posted. I presume I could take it out once it establishes itself, then cut the roots, etc? And I was also recommended on another site to cut it back, but shouldn't I let it recover first? Thanks!

Yes, let it recover now that it's potted. Put this one somewhere where the pot won't be moved or bumped for the next year or two. When it is pot-bound, either next spring or 2012 spring, you'll want to cut the big roots back. Take note where the new roots grew; most likely it is at the end of the big roots...which is why you should always shorten them ASAP, leaving fine roots, and encouraging new growth at the cut ends of the big roots.

And...find out what kind of tree it is! Hickory? Dogwood? Poplar? Maybe post some larger images of the bark texture and let's have a look.

At any rate, don't be discouraged...keep collecting. Here are 3 stumps I dug up that resembled yours at the time of collection, and I think they're turning out alright!

 

[treebeard55]

Brian, that hawthorn is looking nice. The other two -- their potential is starting to show well. I'd like to see pictures of all three in a few years.

 

[grouper52]

When you go winter collecting deciduous trees, you can sometimes get an idea what it might be by looking at the types of leaves lying around it on the ground: at least it narrows down the odds a bit. Then compare the bark with those species.

Any chance you happened to notice that?

 

[TheSteve]

What's done is done. I'm thinking you might as well just wait for it to sprout leaves. then you should know. If it doesn't sprout leaves then it won't matter what it is anyway. A wise friend of mine often reminds me not to collect something just because I CAN. Collect it when it's worth collecting.

 

[TheSteve]

Another thing to think about is that many of the people who chew you out for collecting something like probably did the same thing themselves the first few times they went out collecting.

 

[Redwood Ryan]

I am sure they have too

Here are pictures of the bark, although they may not help much:

 

[treebeard55]

The second picture almost makes me think "hackberry" (Celtis spp.)

 

[rockm]

Definitely NOT a hackberry. Not in this neck of the woods

My money would be on bigtooth aspen:
http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/bigtooth_aspen.htm
http://www.cnr.vt.edu/Dendro/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=65

These are extremely common here in No. Va. They make exceptionally HORRIBLE bonsai material-- awkward angular leggy growth. Leaves don't reduce appreciably. Tend to die back unexpectedly (pioneer species related to willows). They tend to grow aggressively for a short period (in tree time) then die off--which makes branching a fleeting thing on a bonsai.

Bonsai wise, this trunk and the mess of roots underneath it... Well, it's just not great material. If you were digging in moist woods, you were most likely within a few yards of much better species to work with--Carolina hornbeam, blackhaw, hophornbeam, blueberry, even black cherry or a naturalized wisteria. All of these are at least as common as this species, easier to collect, hardier and make exceptional bonsai material (with the possible exception of the black cherry which can be finicky)

This is an unstable, frustrating species to work with--even for advanced bonsaists. Good luck...

One of the cardinal rules of collecting -- KNOW WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT, OR HAVE A VERY GOOD IDEA OF WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT, BEFORE YOU BUST YOUR HUMP DIGGING IT UP...

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Thanks Rock. I just noticed you replied.

Today I went and checked on this tree and I found a small bud, on the lower half of the trunk. It is small and red, does that help at identifying it at all? I have hope that this tree might somehow be alive by that one bud I saw. I can take pics if wanted/needed. Thanks


Ryan

 

[rockm]

Doesn't help ID it-most growth on natives around here starts reddish, especially when the new buds are exposed to the sun (reddish tint in new growth is basically a defense against sunlight--it's plant sunscreen), but it's a good sign. I didn't think you'd have a problem having this one live--and it only deepens my belief that it's a big tooth aspen--quick growing species like that can take a lot of punishment.

The new bud (s)--there are probably more--indicate that root recovery is moving along. Don't be tempted to start poking and prodding the tree above or below the soil--the recent hot 80 F+ days have pushed root recovery and general growth for everything along quickly.

LET IT ALONE--at least until the end of June before touching it again--that means lifting the pot or moving it, touching new foliage or the trunk.

You can probably provide a dose of full strength Miracle Grow now and every two weeks or so. That might help things along. Don't add organics as they're mostly useless until they break down.

 

[Redwood Ryan]

The leaves are all the way out now, and they definitely do not look like Bigtooth Aspen. The leaves are more of a heart shape. I can't get any pictures up now, but I will tomorrow. Any ideas right now? Thanks!


Ryan

 

[Smoke]

Birch or alder.

 

[rockm]

New growth on newly collected specimens can often come out distorted. Post some pics...

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Here they are:

 

[ianb]

Leaves look like Redbud (Cercis canadensis) to me.

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Leaves look like Redbud (Cercis canadensis) to me.

That's what I thought, but I didnt think the bark looked the same.

 

[rockm]

It is redbud, but not to be a poop--you still have issues with this species as bonsai material It's leggy and takes a lot of pruning to produce any ramification at all...It can also be prone to root rot in the wrong soil.

Additionally, there may be issues with the trunks on your tree. That growth appears to originate very low on the trunk. Keep your fingers crossed that you get at least one or two new buds somewhere in the middle and top. No new growth up the trunk can mean the plant is dead above your new growth...