Some things Ive been up to

After a catastrophic loss to my collection due to unemployment (had to pay the bills) Now that I'm back on my feet I am in the process of rebuilding my collection.I have been very fortunate to run across some great deals lately and here are a few of them .I will probibly start a thread of the development of each soon enough but here is a teaser of what is to come.First off today I went back to the nursery where I purchased the katsura tree and decided to take a walk in the back of their establishment after being granted permission to do so.After a few minutes I was greeted by the owner We had a great conversation and he was nice enough to help add to my collection . Due to the recent materials I will be obtaining from several locations lately I dub myself "the nursery ninja" First up is a donated yes I said free to me for "appreciating plant material" score from the owner A old hawthorn of unknown species he claims he has had this tree stuck way back in the back for at least 20 years .Can some one help me identify this ??

Next up is a zelkova He said if I wanted it it would set me back $25 . I about fell down and snatched it up.





I am still exposing the nebari on it but so far it looks good .Two of the branches will be cut on this and one saved for the trunkline.

Next up is my big beautiful trident maple this was the most exspensive purchase to date $250 for a 5 in trunk!!!!



I am concidering a trunk chop where indicated to help with taper and more compactness?

Here are a few others I aquired through horse trading for some other things I did not need
A seiju elm
and a hocado elm
And one of the only trees I did not get rid of my quince
All of these trees will be going in large plastic tubs (including the quince)for more development b4 going in to bonsai pots .I will have a thread on each in the near future and will be able to track their progression.

Good you're rebuilding. Lots more opportunities for trees if you start a few airlayering projects...may help you stretch your dollar.

Happy trunk chopping in the spring!

Neil

Nice start with the 2-4-1 deals (if you air layer that is) The first tree judging by the leaves looks like an oak to me. May be wrong, wouldnt be my first time but I try and can almost guarentee that I am right.

That is what I thought also however I dont know many oaks that have thorns.The owner said it was a hawthorne but he could be wrong. I will be getting a washington hawthorne from him also that has a 4-5 in trunk it will be chopped down to a stump and re grown from there.I don't think any of the tops of these trees will be airlayered due to not having much character. I have 7 more trees I am waiting to go dormant to dig so I am focusing all my energy in collecting and refining the material I will get and not try to double my stock by layering . Although it is a good idea.

I'd have said Hawthorn for the first one but the thorns in the mage don't look dangerous enough! Are there some seriously sharp thorns too?

That's what I thought as well there are other thorns but very few and the leaf is diffrent from traditional hawthorne that I am used to seeing. I think the only way to know for sure is to wait for spring blooms to determine the species.

Definately not Oak. I'm thinking Hawthorne as well.

Libby

Is'nt the leafshape a bit like Crateagus Cunatea, the Japanese Hawthorn?

that is what I was thinking aswell I know the traditional hawthorn c.monogyna has a distinctive leaf on it as does the c.phaenopyrum
although the leaf may differ to some extent they are distinguishable .But this little one I have is stumping me

Went to the collection site of the pine and hop hornbeam and took some photos of them and was egar to see if the sugar was flowing?? leaves were starting to turn but not quite ready.I was also wanting to know if any one can confirm the species of pine this is .I am starting to think it is a scotch or bristle cone and not a japanese pine.

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And now the pine

Here is a euonymus alatus I have on hold as well as many others to choose from

Here is another one that I have the ability to collect but I do not see much potential at the moment however If I don't collect it it will go to it's certain death.I am not sure of the species mabye cypress,cedar,or sequoia.I am trying to limit myself on the amount of material I have due to space issues and early in my bonsai career I would try to get any material I could get my hands on .But now I am trying to get quality material and not just anything I can get my hands on.I guess it is a maturing in my self and hobby and this will also allow me to spend more quality time focusing on making a few great trees instead of making a lot of ok trees.

Hi Seth. The base on that hornbeam is excellent!! That pine is not Scots. Habit looks like bristlecone, but might be wrong.

Thanks, I have had my eye on this hornbeam for 5 years now and have been salivating over they day I could collect it .Once that task has been accomplished I hope i can keep it alive.I am thinking of removing all un nessary large branches when I collect to help the tree focus on wound healing and root development and not providing energy to branches that will be removed anyway.I am also thinking bristle cone pine this tree will be dug and put in pure turface except for the collected root ball.and left alone for a year or so to regain strength I will also be removing the top and lower branches that are un necessary for design to help re route energy to necessary parts of the tree.If it is bristle cone my personal experience with the species is it will readily back bud on old wood so that is very exciting.

I don't think it is a Bristlecone pine - P aristata. Their needles are always very distinctive with spots of white resin.

The last one looks like giant sequoia from a distance but the needles up close are larger than those on mine. Up close it looks more like a Japanese redwood - Cryptomeria japonca. Not sure.

Kev. Is the giant Sequoia a Wellingtonia? Thats what it looks like to me.