A real bonsai growing 'wild' what to do?

11 years ago

Hi, I am new to this but have collected a few trees after buying 2 juniper bonsai trees that were dead when I bought them. So I have no experience. I was at the lake this weekend & we saw a small juniper looking tree that looked like it might have been chopped or broke by the wind many yrs ago because it is under 2 feet tall and has a thick old looking trunk & my friend moved the pine straw around it & you can see the roots at the base & it was slightly bending when he wiggled the trunk. Well, I took a couple of pictures of it (dont know how to post one on here) but it looks just like a bonsai tree sitting there on the side of a dirt road & we flagged the tree to later collect. Has anyone ever seen a real bonsai tree growing wild like this already small & old? How do I safely remove it from the ground? Do i just plant it in a big pot or a little bonsai tray? This is a beautiful tree & I rather just leave it than kill it but i sure would love to be able to look at it and take good care of it. And I just need to know how to start with the root trimming & all that. If anybody knows of a book or anything about something like this, I really want this tree & want to do everything right and not kill it. Also, how do you know what size the little pots to buy? I have 2 that are 6" x 4.5" & is there something I can put in that size? I just really do not understand how you get all the roots of a tree to fit in that size of a pot & do you put soil then the tree then fill with soil like a regular house plant? I'm so sorry this is so long I just have so many questions & have researched but can't find everything I need. Thank you, Kate

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Comments (5)

zone 8
11 years ago
Yes it can be done. The best thing is to join a Bonsai Society in your area. They can tell & show you what you need to know. Also there is much information at your library. Don't dig the tree till you know how to care for it. Shaping & root pruneing comes later. Make sure that it is ok to remove trees on the property. If it is ok then tag the tree so you can find it later. Get a lot of information under your belt then dig. Good luck, Larry
bonsaibuddy
11 years ago
KEG222, it sound like you may have found a nice potential bonsai! But i caution you, bonsai is a complex art, and Knowledge is certainly your friend. You asked for some suggested reading material before you move forward with this tree, which i am happy to see. If i had to recommend 3 books to read to gain basic knowledge of bonsai, i would say these:
1. "Bonsai Basics : A Step-By-Step Guide to Growing, Training & General Care" byChristian Pessey
2. "The Bonsai Handbook" by David Prescott
3. "The Bonsai Workshop" by Herb L. Gustafson
These are some of the best, most well put together books i read before i purchased my first bonsai/pre-bonsai tree, and they will give you most anything you need to know about the basics of bonsai acquisition and maintenance.
My advice to you would be to educate yourself on exactly what bonsai is, and see if it is right for you before you commit to digging up this tree. Bonsai can be difficult, and frustrating at times, but can also be infinitely rewarding when you get it right. Good luck, and happy pruning.
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lehua49
11 years ago
Keg,

We dig our specimens under the supervision of our Bonsai Club experts. Join a local club and talk to the more experienced members. GL Aloha
Sherwood Botsford (z3, Alberta)
11 years ago
If you have to do it yourself without help:

Visit your tree with a bucket of water. Water the tree thoroughly. Go away for 24 hours. (This step can be skipped it the ground is already moist, but junipers are often in pretty dry very well drained soil.

Visit your tree with a shovel. Working roughly at the drip line, or a bit beyond, cut the half the roots with the shovel. E.g. You are making a dashed line around the tree.

Go away for half a growing season.

Come back and water your tree. Go away for 24 hours.

Come back with a shovel, and this time make a solid line all the way around. Go away. Let it have another half a growing season.

Come back during the dormant season, and lift your tree.
azant
11 years ago
Great advice Sherwood.