Yamadori pine; 2007-2010

This is the story of a little lodgepole pine I collected the spring of 2007 in Washington state. It was one of a bunch I collected in one day and the last to be potted up the following day. I found an interesting rock near where this tree was growing and got a little idea they might just belong together since the tree was wedged between two rocks when I found it. The fern was also growing in the same area. I did the best I could to attach the pine to the rock with some copper wire that was insulated with plastic; it was just the end of a roll of it that was too short for anything else. I decided to place the fern opposite the pine for balance and to give a suggestion of place where the tree originated from. Then I put it all into a plastic collander and hoped for the best.

So, the first picture was taken in the fall of 2007 after the tree had its first growing season in captivity and I felt it could use a light styling.

On another adventure I found an abandoned dump with a heap of old water meter boxes made of reinforced concrete. They are rectangular in plan and the center is a cavity or hole to accommodate the water meter. My bonsai-focused mind immediately saw another purpose for the discarded blocks and a home for the little pine on the rock. This next picture was taken this fall after I removed the wire for the second or third time since 2007. You can see the tree has settled into its new home and that it has been filling out nicely.

Here's a shot of the feeder roots coming out of the bottom of the pot

Here is a shot of the back side of the tree and planting

The front after a complete wiring

And the back after the work

I just realized I got the front and back reversed; I kind of like them both. I hope you've enjoyed the story of this little unassuming tree and how fast they grow up

lovely tree and nice story

I really like the pot! Plain, a bit gritty but i think its great. Suits the tree and works without taking away attention from the tree itself.

pongsatorn.k wrote:lovely tree and nice story

Glad you liked the tree/story

Nick Guzowski wrote:I really like the pot! Plain, a bit gritty but i think its great. Suits the tree and works without taking away attention from the tree itself.

Thanks, Nick! My one small concern at first was what concrete might do to the roots, if anything. As you can see the tree has grown well since placing it in this pot