While Larches aren't an option in the tropics, I sympathise on the treeless
collecting trip. I try to take the view that at 35 I have at least 40 more
years of doing bonsai, so I can afford to be selective about what I collect.
Besides, as you said; sometimes it's nice to just be outdoors by yourself
enjoying the morning.

Regards,

Leslie St. John
Barbados
West Indies



"Robert O'Brien" wrote in message
...
Hey folks...just wanted to let people know...not ALL collecting trips are
fruitful !!! after seeing a stand of larch locally in a swamp 3 years ago
,
I finally found the landowner ,obtained permission and set out to looking
for
worthy yamadori this morning. After taking nearly a half hour to get a
couple
hundred yards into the swamp through extra thick tangles of god knows
what...I discovered that the only larch in here were the ones visible from
the road..all between 30 to 60' average height. Absolutely no saplings or
anything under these heights !!! Needless to say I was quite disapointed !
Oh...I almost forgot...I also found out my boots both leak profusely !!!
Anyway...believe it or not I really did enjoy myself...unbeleivable moss
on
everything...kind of like what you see in an old growth forest...and it's
nice to be where no person ever goes...solitude yet close to home.
so...can
anyone tell me why there were no younger trees anywhere to be found ? I
truly
expected to find at least SOME collectable trees !...thanks for
reading...BobO


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