Lesser of two evils...

I've recently collected a couple invasive shrubs known as Autumn Olive, or Japanese Silverberry (Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb). We had a warm up that caused the buds to break. They are now flush with tender new growth. The problem is coming on Wednesday in the form of freezing temperatures. We are expecting at least two nights to be in the mid to upper 20's.

Should I move the pots (both weighing in at around 80lb) into the garage and risk disturbing the roots again, or should I leave them outside and hope for the best?

Thanks in advance,

Matt Linsin

Cover them completely with a towel or blanket. They'll probably take the mid 20s and up.

Thanks Jim.

I'll post pitures as soon as I can.

Matt

Yeah cover them up. Maybe even (if you can ) move them out of a windy are to reduce the chill.

Here are a couple snaps of the Autumn Olive. I was recently talking to a friend that said I could get fined for collecting this species because of its invasive nature. I responded with the fact that it would be confined to its pot and I wasn't using it for its original purpose which was to stop soil erosion. I'm not sure how this species populates itself, so I thought I would ask people here on this forum if I am doing the wrong thing here.

Thanks,

Matt

Birds eat its fruit, then disburse it liberally across the landscape. The fruit is unattractive so you just don't let it as a bonsai.

I find the flowers to have a sickening sweetness to their smell, so I wouldn't let them even bloom. Some folks like it, but I have to hold my breathand walk fast going though the perfume departments at stores.

Matt-
We have the same bonsai pack.

Your wide smile is striking, Matt. I think Harry Hirao is celebrating his 92nd birthday collecting as you (though on steeper hills).

Good hunting wishes for you both...

Here are more pictures from the same day. I am most excited about this trees potential. This is an Eastern Hop-hornbeam (Ostrya virginiana) or commonly known as Iron Wood. It was very heavy! I'm guessing between 80 and 100lbs! I was sore for days, but it was well worth it. It will be quite a while before I can call this a bonsai, and I look forward to the process.

Stumbled across this old thread...was curious about how the autumn olive is coming along? I've got a bunch of these growing in my field and have been contemplating collecting one. I kind of like the smell of the flowers, though it can be a bit overpowering.

I lost the Olive the next year. It had a pretty big scar that rotted out quickly (soft heart wood). I also believe I tried to do to much to quick...lesson learned. I have another I collected several years back and it is doing fine. It's a very brittle plant to work with (Not my favorite species). I imagine it would be tricky to wire with out breaking the branch.

Good luck.

And the Hop-Hornbeam??? How is it doing. Some one on here just made a claim that a tree i posted here may in fact be a hop-hornbeam. My curiosity is mounting!!!

https://ibonsaiclub.forumotion.com/t12605-advice-on-newly-collected-and-already-poorly-boxed-material-betula-and-ulmus

Hi Tokennyc,

The Hop Hornbeam is doing well. It had vigorous and free growth last year. I looked at your pics from the thread you started but can't tell exactly what it is you have. I does look like pretty good material though. I started another thread showing the progress of the Hop Hornbeam posted in this thread If your interested, it's titled Iron Wood Progress. I hope to post more pictures in the coming months on that thread.

Be well.

Matt

mattlinsin wrote:Here are more pictures from the same day.  I am most excited about this trees potential. This is an Eastern Hop-hornbeam (Ostrya virginiana) or commonly known as Iron Wood.  It was very heavy!  I'm guessing between 80 and 100lbs!  I was sore for days, but it was well worth it.  It will be quite a while before I can call this a bonsai, and I look forward to the process.

I really love these 2 photos! I hope they are alive and well.