The 2024 Yamadori/Collecting Thread

[BonsaiManic]

I don't have any experience with honeysuckle, but I have heard vines are tough subjects for bonsai because they are typically prone to rot.

 

[Attmos]

We collected damage trees all the time. In lots of cases, that is more often than collecting perfectly healthy trees. For me I am always looking for damaged and stunted trees with lots of characters.

This one doesn't have much character..
Except for the fact that it sits out of the ground.

 

[Cajunrider]

I don't have any experience with honeysuckle, but I have heard vines are tough subjects for bonsai because they are typically prone to rot.

Honeysuckles make excellent bonsai.

 

[Attmos]

I don't have any experience with honeysuckle, but I have heard vines are tough subjects for bonsai because they are typically prone to rot.

I think Honeysuckle is more of a bush than a vine, but they definitely act like vines.

 

[Cajunrider]

This one doesn't have much character..
Except for the fact that it sits out of the ground.

Collect it. Chop it just above the lowest branch. Nurse it back to life and carve that trunk.

 

[rockm]

Does anyone ever make Yamadori from trees damaged by nature? I found a Honeysuckle tree that had been blown over (or something disastrous) right at ground level.

It's about a three to four inch diameter and still very much alive even though it's being fed by a small number of roots.View attachment 561132View attachment 561133

Thing is... it's not real attractive right now, actually very boring, having only one branch below where I would cut it.

I think it could have potential but I have no experience. I'd love to have a few experienced eyes take a look.

There are many species of invasive honeysuckle (lonicera) in the U.S. Some are vines (lonicera japonica), some are bushes (lonicera morowii, Mackii, ) . They all can make pretty decent bonsai if you find a decent trunk. this one is a bush honeysuckle (as opposed to a vining species like Lonicera Japonica. This one isn't all that interesting with a taperless trunk, but it probably could be shaped into a decent bonsai after a while. Bush honeysuckle tend to branch better than vining types. Honeysuckle is extremely durable and resilient when collected. It's a bit late to get this one into a container or even out of the ground, unless you have a frost free (but relatively cold place that will stay under 45 F, but above 28 F all winter).

And FWIW, natural damage and wear is the PRIMARY reason trees are collected for bonsai from the wild. There is no artificial way to produce the wear and tear that nature performs on trees. Such natural character in collected trees is a primary reason bonsai itself was created centuries ago..

 

[Attmos]

Collect it. Chop it just above the lowest branch. Nurse it back to life and carve that trunk.

Thank you.

I just needed someone with some experience to tell me it was worth a shot, or to just leave it be.

I appreciate BonsaiManic's thoughts as well.

 

[BonsaiManic]

I've been poring over the yamadori threads, and I have yet to find an instructional thread directing hunters where they can find various genus/species.
For example, what altitude? What type of soil? In a canyon? Near a water source? Growing in/near a cluster of the same species or solitary?
If there is an existing thread that someone knows about, please let me know. I realize that some of this can be found from various online sources, but if it is compiled in one place, it would help us who don't have the experience.
Otherwise, I will just put this information in the thread I hope to start this winter or spring when I make my first yamadori trip.

 

[Attmos]

There are many species of invasive honeysuckle (lonicera) in the U.S. Some are vines, some are bushes. They all can make pretty decent bonsai if you find a decent trunk. this one is a bush honeysuckle (as opposed to a vining species like Lonicera Japonica. This one isn't all that interesting with a taperless trunk, but it probably could be shaped into a decent bonsai after a while. Bush honeysuckle tend to branch better than vining types. Honeysuckle is extremely durable and resilient when collected. It's a bit late to get this one into a container or even out of the ground, unless you have a frost free (but relatively cold place that will stay under 45 F, but above 28 F all winter).

And FWIW, natural damage and wear is the PRIMARY reason trees are collected for bonsai from the wild. There is no artificial way to produce the wear and tear that nature performs on trees. Such natural character in collected trees is a primary reason bonsai itself was created centuries ago..

That was pretty much the impression I had of the art.

Yeah, um.. I was thinking very early next spring to collect it...?

 

[Attmos]

I've been poring over the yamadori threads, and I have yet to find an instructional thread directing hunters where they can find various genus/species.
For example, what altitude? What type of soil? In a canyon? Near a water source? Growing in/near a cluster of the same species or solitary?
If there is an existing thread that someone knows about, please let me know. I realize that some of this can be found from various online sources, but if it is compiled in one place, it would help us who don't have the experience.
Otherwise, I will just put this information in the thread I hope to start this winter or spring when I make my first yamadori trip.

I think that's a great idea. It is hard tracking down specific info.

 

[Attmos]

I've been poring over the yamadori threads, and I have yet to find an instructional thread directing hunters where they can find various genus/species.
For example, what altitude? What type of soil? In a canyon? Near a water source? Growing in/near a cluster of the same species or solitary?
If there is an existing thread that someone knows about, please let me know. I realize that some of this can be found from various online sources, but if it is compiled in one place, it would help us who don't have the experience.
Otherwise, I will just put this information in the thread I hope to start this winter or spring when I make my first yamadori trip.

By the way, this tree sits in a vacant lot next to a park and in between two office buildings.

 

[BrianBay9]

I think that's a great idea. It is hard tracking down specific info.

A lot of info is available here in the collecting forum and species specific fora. It's just difficult to use the search function. I find it easier to use Google search and include Bonsai Nut in the criteria.

 

[Attmos]

A lot of info is available here in the collecting forum and species specific fora. It's just difficult to use the search function. I find it easier to use Google search and include Bonsai Nut in the criteria.

There's also the instructional classes on the Bonsai Empire site. I think I'll be taking one or two of those relatively soon. Though, I'm not sure if he covers collection or not.... hmm.

 

[BonsaiManic]

Honeysuckles make excellent bonsai.

Oh, I've seen some spectacular photos of honeysuckle bonsai. I guess I should have led with that. I was just repeating something I have heard about viney species before in an attempt to inform @Attmos of a potential challenge.

 

[Cajunrider]

I've been poring over the yamadori threads, and I have yet to find an instructional thread directing hunters where they can find various genus/species.
For example, what altitude? What type of soil? In a canyon? Near a water source? Growing in/near a cluster of the same species or solitary?
If there is an existing thread that someone knows about, please let me know. I realize that some of this can be found from various online sources, but if it is compiled in one place, it would help us who don't have the experience.
Otherwise, I will just put this information in the thread I hope to start this winter or spring when I make my first yamadori trip.

It varies from species to species. If I target a species, I find habitat range then topologies info. Then I make numerous scouting treks before I collect. So when I actually collect I know my targets and what it takes.

 

[BonsaiManic]

That's what I thought. It's a long drive to the mountains (2 hours ±), so I guess I was hoping for a cheat code. But sometimes, you just have to do the work without any shortcuts.

 

[BrianBay9]

That's what I thought. It's a long drive to the mountains (2 hours ±), so I guess I was hoping for a cheat code. But sometimes, you just have to do the work without any shortcuts.

The cheat codes are google earth and topo maps. Nothing beats boots on the ground though

 

[Attmos]

That's what I thought. It's a long drive to the mountains (2 hours ±), so I guess I was hoping for a cheat code. But sometimes, you just have to do the work without any shortcuts.

That's why I mentioned where I found the honeysuckle. I live just outside the city, in Ohio... lol. It's 2hrs down to the Appalachian Mountains where there would be excellent trees to find, if you can do it legally. Most of Ohio is private or protected.

If I don't get bored with honeysuckle, lol, this one vacant lot could keep me busy 'til I die... as far as yamadori goes.

 

[BonsaiManic]

I guess the key is to decide beforehand what species you want, and find out where they are most likely to be, and study that area.
Alternately, you could decide where you're going, study up on the species in that area, and then collect the best trees of species that you know you can grow.

Yamadori motto: Know before you grow.
Lol

 

[Attmos]

I guess the key is to decide beforehand what species you want, and find out where they are most likely to be, and study that area.
Alternately, you could decide where you're going, study up on the species in that area, and then collect the best trees of species that you know you can grow.

Yamadori motto: Know before you grow.
Lol

I'm not proud, I'll take what I can find.