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Old 06-05-2003, 09:44 PM
Iowa Harry
 
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Default (newbie) burr-oak.. will it bud back?

Hi Ian,

Much of the advice you are getting is very cautious, and everybody who
has attempted to learn bonsai has killed trees. You will too. You say you
have 155 acres to play with. Go for it. Start with something small. What
kind of soil are they growing in? Rocky, sandy, clay? Bring some with the
root ball. Pick a small tree with branches down low so you can reduce the
overall size of the tree. Most of the trees I collect have to contend with
brome grass so all the branches start about 24 inches up. It is hard to find
appropriate material.
You are going to dig up the tree and in the process will loose most of
the roots, this corresponds to reducing the top so that the roots that are
left will support the tree. I have a tree nursery where I plant my collected
trees to recover from this abuse. I figure that if I can dig up a tree and
transplant it and have it survive, that is the first step. Styling, leaf
reduction, wiring branches are all secondary to making the tree survive.
Learn that and you are on your way.

And watch out for them bears, ay?
--
Harry in Iowa

No Bounce, No Play
(Remove the OBVIOUS to reply)

"Ian Timshel" wrote in message
...
Hi all.
This is my first post here and it's a big group! You folks seem very
active.
I've found your irc #bonsai channel and was warmly welcomed. Thanks
"wheaties" I've browsed this groups web-site but there is plenty left
to absorb.

I have no trees, tools or books and am in no hurry to acquire them,
although I have begun the patient process of considering a starting
point. ;^) Spending money is likely the easy part..ehh

My first steps toward contacting the local club has fallen on deaf ears
for the time being but I will persist.

My initial fantasy was to glean a burr-oak from the back bush. I have
155 acres to wander (zone 3a in Canada) and the deer have mangled many
young trees into attractive aesthetic shapes.

Queston one is: Does anyone know if burr-oak will bud back?

Second question is: Am I a dolt for considering making a beginning in
this direction?

My plan intitially was to spend quite a bit of time wandering the back
yard marking candidates while asking questions and posting pictures.
Does this sound reasonable?

Cheers! Ian.


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Please remove "REMOVE" in my email address to reach me.