Mike:

I'm from eastern PA (actually the Poconos is in the east not west).
I've been out a few times and as much as a I have heard tales of
wonderful pitch pines and other pine varieties I've yet to find much
myself. I have found some rocky areas where the roots are shallow and
perfect for bonsai but all I typically find are Hemlock, none of which
has been very usable.

For me the size I want are of course the hardest to remove. I intend to
keep trying so we'll see but so far I haven't found much. Most
everything I have encountered has a leaf size or needle size that just
won't work.

Good luck.
wmcorcor

== -----Original Message-----
== From: Internet Bonsai Club ] On
Behalf
== Of Mike
== Sent: Thursday, March 04, 2004 12:31 AM
== To:
== Subject: [IBC] Pennsylvania- Foraging for a Bonsai
==
== Hi All,
==
== I have the opportunity to go out of the city into the western
== Pennsylvania or the pocono's as they call it. I wanted to look for a
== good bonsai tree to fit the nice Bonsai pot I have.

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Ken Rutledge++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

Mike:

I'm from eastern PA (actually the Poconos is in the east not west).
I've been out a few times and as much as a I have heard tales of
wonderful pitch pines and other pine varieties I've yet to find much
myself. I have found some rocky areas where the roots are shallow and
perfect for bonsai but all I typically find are Hemlock, none of which
has been very usable.

For me the size I want are of course the hardest to remove. I intend to
keep trying so we'll see but so far I haven't found much. Most
everything I have encountered has a leaf size or needle size that just
won't work.

Good luck.
wmcorcor

== -----Original Message-----
== From: Internet Bonsai Club ] On
Behalf
== Of Mike
== Sent: Thursday, March 04, 2004 12:31 AM
== To:
== Subject: [IBC] Pennsylvania- Foraging for a Bonsai
==
== Hi All,
==
== I have the opportunity to go out of the city into the western
== Pennsylvania or the pocono's as they call it. I wanted to look for a
== good bonsai tree to fit the nice Bonsai pot I have.

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Ken Rutledge++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

Hi All,

I have the opportunity to go out of the city into the western
Pennsylvania or the pocono's as they call it. I wanted to look
for a
good bonsai tree to fit the nice Bonsai pot I have. I am going
to be
looking for something with a nice, thick trunk, and not
something that
is a stick in the mud Anyone have any suggestions on what
makes a
good bonsai tree out here in PA? Any pictures of what grows
around here
on the web? Also any techniques on how to do this? For example
root
pruning and such....

I was told just to grab a shovel, dig the plant up, put it in a
wet
sack, get it home, root prune it and put it in a pot. A root
pruning
guide would be great.

I was told to grab the John Naka's book because it was like the
bonsai's
bible but due to financial difficulties i wont be able to
purchase it
for at least another month. So can anyone give me some
directions on how
to root prune, hopefully with pictures.


I am assuming that you have the permission of the landowner to
dig up trees; "landowner" includes local, state, and federal land
agencies, too. From them, you will need a permit -- which may or
may not be free. Taking trees from land without permission is
stealing. Going on the land without permission is trespass.
Both can result in a fine -- and even jail if you meet a nasty
landowner and a hanging judge. Some trees (species) may not be
collected at all because of various environmental laws.

Now, with my standard warning out of the way, it sounds like you
are a beginner. I would NOT recommend going out to collect a
tree without going with someone else who has a lot of collecting
experience. Collecting a tree is NOT like digging it up and
putting it in a pot -- especially (repeat, Especially) if you are
looking for "something with a nice, thick trunk, and not
something that is a stick in the mud." Those take careful
planning, and often, must be done over a two-year (sometimes
longer) period. If you have never collected a tree before it is
almost a sure thing that the first tree(s) you collect will not
survive, especially if they are large ones.

Like Craig says, you do NOT just plant them in a bonsai pot. The
roots will have been badly damaged, and you will have a lot of
long, painstaking work to get them back in shape. This means a
large growing box -- or even better, re-planting them in the
ground -- for a year or two before even thinking of a pot. Then,
your first pot will likely be several sizes larger than the
"final" bonsai pot.

You will do much better -- and learn in the process -- by
collecting those "sticks in the mud for a few years until you
know how to keep a collected tree alive.

Be CERTAIN to refill the hole when you are done, and again -- GET
PERMISSION.

One also hopes that you have a few years of bonsai experience --
simple keeping-them-alive-in-bonsai-pots-for-several-years
experience -- under your belt. If not, it is 100% certain that
you will not be able to keep your collected trees alive over the
next winter when they will be at their most vulnerable.

Jim Lewis - - Tallahassee, FL - The voice of
doom. And experience.

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Ken Rutledge++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

Mike,

Please listen to all the advice you've seen in response to your question.
However, as a newbie, I had the opportunity to collect as many trees as I
wanted to last year about this time from an area that was going to be clear
cut. If you go into the archives and find some of the posts in response to
my questions, they should help you. For example, have a good idea of the
species you want prior to going out - of course you might luck onto
something totally different once you are out there, but have something in
mind. One of those posts in the archive listed a whole bunch of trees that
generally do well when collected (I am in NE Ohio, so the species should be
similar to what you will fine). A couple of the posts also list some books
that could assist you - many of which are available in the library!!! Check
out a couple, because species of trees (for most of us) are difficult to
recognize without their leaves. Finally, one piece of advice gleaned from
experience and which no one else gave you....take into consideration how far
and over what type of terrain you will have to carry your prize(s). The
biggest one I collected last spring was, of course, the longest from the
car. It took my son and I a couple of hours to carry it back to the car and
we were both ready to drop when we finally made it. Dirt is heavy! So are
thick trunks. Be prepared.

Good luck - hope you find something nice and, after following everyone's
advice, are able to successfully keep it alive.

Jeff Isom
Cleveland, OH / Sunset Zone 39

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Ken Rutledge++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

Hi All,

I have the opportunity to go out of the city into the western
Pennsylvania or the pocono's as they call it. I wanted to look
for a
good bonsai tree to fit the nice Bonsai pot I have. I am going
to be
looking for something with a nice, thick trunk, and not
something that
is a stick in the mud Anyone have any suggestions on what
makes a
good bonsai tree out here in PA? Any pictures of what grows
around here
on the web? Also any techniques on how to do this? For example
root
pruning and such....

I was told just to grab a shovel, dig the plant up, put it in a
wet
sack, get it home, root prune it and put it in a pot. A root
pruning
guide would be great.

I was told to grab the John Naka's book because it was like the
bonsai's
bible but due to financial difficulties i wont be able to
purchase it
for at least another month. So can anyone give me some
directions on how
to root prune, hopefully with pictures.


I am assuming that you have the permission of the landowner to
dig up trees; "landowner" includes local, state, and federal land
agencies, too. From them, you will need a permit -- which may or
may not be free. Taking trees from land without permission is
stealing. Going on the land without permission is trespass.
Both can result in a fine -- and even jail if you meet a nasty
landowner and a hanging judge. Some trees (species) may not be
collected at all because of various environmental laws.

Now, with my standard warning out of the way, it sounds like you
are a beginner. I would NOT recommend going out to collect a
tree without going with someone else who has a lot of collecting
experience. Collecting a tree is NOT like digging it up and
putting it in a pot -- especially (repeat, Especially) if you are
looking for "something with a nice, thick trunk, and not
something that is a stick in the mud." Those take careful
planning, and often, must be done over a two-year (sometimes
longer) period. If you have never collected a tree before it is
almost a sure thing that the first tree(s) you collect will not
survive, especially if they are large ones.

Like Craig says, you do NOT just plant them in a bonsai pot. The
roots will have been badly damaged, and you will have a lot of
long, painstaking work to get them back in shape. This means a
large growing box -- or even better, re-planting them in the
ground -- for a year or two before even thinking of a pot. Then,
your first pot will likely be several sizes larger than the
"final" bonsai pot.

You will do much better -- and learn in the process -- by
collecting those "sticks in the mud for a few years until you
know how to keep a collected tree alive.

Be CERTAIN to refill the hole when you are done, and again -- GET
PERMISSION.

One also hopes that you have a few years of bonsai experience --
simple keeping-them-alive-in-bonsai-pots-for-several-years
experience -- under your belt. If not, it is 100% certain that
you will not be able to keep your collected trees alive over the
next winter when they will be at their most vulnerable.

Jim Lewis - - Tallahassee, FL - The voice of
doom. And experience.

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Ken Rutledge++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

Mike,

Please listen to all the advice you've seen in response to your question.
However, as a newbie, I had the opportunity to collect as many trees as I
wanted to last year about this time from an area that was going to be clear
cut. If you go into the archives and find some of the posts in response to
my questions, they should help you. For example, have a good idea of the
species you want prior to going out - of course you might luck onto
something totally different once you are out there, but have something in
mind. One of those posts in the archive listed a whole bunch of trees that
generally do well when collected (I am in NE Ohio, so the species should be
similar to what you will fine). A couple of the posts also list some books
that could assist you - many of which are available in the library!!! Check
out a couple, because species of trees (for most of us) are difficult to
recognize without their leaves. Finally, one piece of advice gleaned from
experience and which no one else gave you....take into consideration how far
and over what type of terrain you will have to carry your prize(s). The
biggest one I collected last spring was, of course, the longest from the
car. It took my son and I a couple of hours to carry it back to the car and
we were both ready to drop when we finally made it. Dirt is heavy! So are
thick trunks. Be prepared.

Good luck - hope you find something nice and, after following everyone's
advice, are able to successfully keep it alive.

Jeff Isom
Cleveland, OH / Sunset Zone 39

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Ken Rutledge++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

Another good tool is a square ended shovel where the
cutting edge has been sharpened, and a hammering
device for driving the shovel into the ground, cutting
some of the smaller roots.

Kitsune Miko

--- Allen wrote:
Bring with you a good shovel, loppers, saw, maybe a
hatchet.
Another good lesson he taught us is this:
The most important part of bonsai is learning how to
keep a tree
healthy in a container! If you can't do this, all
the styling
techniques are useless !
Best of luck !

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Ken Rutledge++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

Mike:

I'm from eastern PA (actually the Poconos is in the east not west).
I've been out a few times and as much as a I have heard tales of
wonderful pitch pines and other pine varieties I've yet to find much
myself. I have found some rocky areas where the roots are shallow and
perfect for bonsai but all I typically find are Hemlock, none of which
has been very usable.

For me the size I want are of course the hardest to remove. I intend to
keep trying so we'll see but so far I haven't found much. Most
everything I have encountered has a leaf size or needle size that just
won't work.

Good luck.
wmcorcor

== -----Original Message-----
== From: Internet Bonsai Club ] On
Behalf
== Of Mike
== Sent: Thursday, March 04, 2004 12:31 AM
== To:
== Subject: [IBC] Pennsylvania- Foraging for a Bonsai
==
== Hi All,
==
== I have the opportunity to go out of the city into the western
== Pennsylvania or the pocono's as they call it. I wanted to look for a
== good bonsai tree to fit the nice Bonsai pot I have.

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Ken Rutledge++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

Mike:

I'm from eastern PA (actually the Poconos is in the east not west).
I've been out a few times and as much as a I have heard tales of
wonderful pitch pines and other pine varieties I've yet to find much
myself. I have found some rocky areas where the roots are shallow and
perfect for bonsai but all I typically find are Hemlock, none of which
has been very usable.

For me the size I want are of course the hardest to remove. I intend to
keep trying so we'll see but so far I haven't found much. Most
everything I have encountered has a leaf size or needle size that just
won't work.

Good luck.
wmcorcor

== -----Original Message-----
== From: Internet Bonsai Club ] On
Behalf
== Of Mike
== Sent: Thursday, March 04, 2004 12:31 AM
== To:
== Subject: [IBC] Pennsylvania- Foraging for a Bonsai
==
== Hi All,
==
== I have the opportunity to go out of the city into the western
== Pennsylvania or the pocono's as they call it. I wanted to look for a
== good bonsai tree to fit the nice Bonsai pot I have.

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Ken Rutledge++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

Hi All,

I have the opportunity to go out of the city into the western
Pennsylvania or the pocono's as they call it. I wanted to look
for a
good bonsai tree to fit the nice Bonsai pot I have. I am going
to be
looking for something with a nice, thick trunk, and not
something that
is a stick in the mud Anyone have any suggestions on what
makes a
good bonsai tree out here in PA? Any pictures of what grows
around here
on the web? Also any techniques on how to do this? For example
root
pruning and such....

I was told just to grab a shovel, dig the plant up, put it in a
wet
sack, get it home, root prune it and put it in a pot. A root
pruning
guide would be great.

I was told to grab the John Naka's book because it was like the
bonsai's
bible but due to financial difficulties i wont be able to
purchase it
for at least another month. So can anyone give me some
directions on how
to root prune, hopefully with pictures.


I am assuming that you have the permission of the landowner to
dig up trees; "landowner" includes local, state, and federal land
agencies, too. From them, you will need a permit -- which may or
may not be free. Taking trees from land without permission is
stealing. Going on the land without permission is trespass.
Both can result in a fine -- and even jail if you meet a nasty
landowner and a hanging judge. Some trees (species) may not be
collected at all because of various environmental laws.

Now, with my standard warning out of the way, it sounds like you
are a beginner. I would NOT recommend going out to collect a
tree without going with someone else who has a lot of collecting
experience. Collecting a tree is NOT like digging it up and
putting it in a pot -- especially (repeat, Especially) if you are
looking for "something with a nice, thick trunk, and not
something that is a stick in the mud." Those take careful
planning, and often, must be done over a two-year (sometimes
longer) period. If you have never collected a tree before it is
almost a sure thing that the first tree(s) you collect will not
survive, especially if they are large ones.

Like Craig says, you do NOT just plant them in a bonsai pot. The
roots will have been badly damaged, and you will have a lot of
long, painstaking work to get them back in shape. This means a
large growing box -- or even better, re-planting them in the
ground -- for a year or two before even thinking of a pot. Then,
your first pot will likely be several sizes larger than the
"final" bonsai pot.

You will do much better -- and learn in the process -- by
collecting those "sticks in the mud for a few years until you
know how to keep a collected tree alive.

Be CERTAIN to refill the hole when you are done, and again -- GET
PERMISSION.

One also hopes that you have a few years of bonsai experience --
simple keeping-them-alive-in-bonsai-pots-for-several-years
experience -- under your belt. If not, it is 100% certain that
you will not be able to keep your collected trees alive over the
next winter when they will be at their most vulnerable.

Jim Lewis - - Tallahassee, FL - The voice of
doom. And experience.

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Ken Rutledge++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

Hi All,

I have the opportunity to go out of the city into the western
Pennsylvania or the pocono's as they call it. I wanted to look
for a
good bonsai tree to fit the nice Bonsai pot I have. I am going
to be
looking for something with a nice, thick trunk, and not
something that
is a stick in the mud Anyone have any suggestions on what
makes a
good bonsai tree out here in PA? Any pictures of what grows
around here
on the web? Also any techniques on how to do this? For example
root
pruning and such....

I was told just to grab a shovel, dig the plant up, put it in a
wet
sack, get it home, root prune it and put it in a pot. A root
pruning
guide would be great.

I was told to grab the John Naka's book because it was like the
bonsai's
bible but due to financial difficulties i wont be able to
purchase it
for at least another month. So can anyone give me some
directions on how
to root prune, hopefully with pictures.


I am assuming that you have the permission of the landowner to
dig up trees; "landowner" includes local, state, and federal land
agencies, too. From them, you will need a permit -- which may or
may not be free. Taking trees from land without permission is
stealing. Going on the land without permission is trespass.
Both can result in a fine -- and even jail if you meet a nasty
landowner and a hanging judge. Some trees (species) may not be
collected at all because of various environmental laws.

Now, with my standard warning out of the way, it sounds like you
are a beginner. I would NOT recommend going out to collect a
tree without going with someone else who has a lot of collecting
experience. Collecting a tree is NOT like digging it up and
putting it in a pot -- especially (repeat, Especially) if you are
looking for "something with a nice, thick trunk, and not
something that is a stick in the mud." Those take careful
planning, and often, must be done over a two-year (sometimes
longer) period. If you have never collected a tree before it is
almost a sure thing that the first tree(s) you collect will not
survive, especially if they are large ones.

Like Craig says, you do NOT just plant them in a bonsai pot. The
roots will have been badly damaged, and you will have a lot of
long, painstaking work to get them back in shape. This means a
large growing box -- or even better, re-planting them in the
ground -- for a year or two before even thinking of a pot. Then,
your first pot will likely be several sizes larger than the
"final" bonsai pot.

You will do much better -- and learn in the process -- by
collecting those "sticks in the mud for a few years until you
know how to keep a collected tree alive.

Be CERTAIN to refill the hole when you are done, and again -- GET
PERMISSION.

One also hopes that you have a few years of bonsai experience --
simple keeping-them-alive-in-bonsai-pots-for-several-years
experience -- under your belt. If not, it is 100% certain that
you will not be able to keep your collected trees alive over the
next winter when they will be at their most vulnerable.

Jim Lewis - - Tallahassee, FL - The voice of
doom. And experience.

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Ken Rutledge++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

Mike,

Please listen to all the advice you've seen in response to your question.
However, as a newbie, I had the opportunity to collect as many trees as I
wanted to last year about this time from an area that was going to be clear
cut. If you go into the archives and find some of the posts in response to
my questions, they should help you. For example, have a good idea of the
species you want prior to going out - of course you might luck onto
something totally different once you are out there, but have something in
mind. One of those posts in the archive listed a whole bunch of trees that
generally do well when collected (I am in NE Ohio, so the species should be
similar to what you will fine). A couple of the posts also list some books
that could assist you - many of which are available in the library!!! Check
out a couple, because species of trees (for most of us) are difficult to
recognize without their leaves. Finally, one piece of advice gleaned from
experience and which no one else gave you....take into consideration how far
and over what type of terrain you will have to carry your prize(s). The
biggest one I collected last spring was, of course, the longest from the
car. It took my son and I a couple of hours to carry it back to the car and
we were both ready to drop when we finally made it. Dirt is heavy! So are
thick trunks. Be prepared.

Good luck - hope you find something nice and, after following everyone's
advice, are able to successfully keep it alive.

Jeff Isom
Cleveland, OH / Sunset Zone 39

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Ken Rutledge++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

Mike,

Please listen to all the advice you've seen in response to your question.
However, as a newbie, I had the opportunity to collect as many trees as I
wanted to last year about this time from an area that was going to be clear
cut. If you go into the archives and find some of the posts in response to
my questions, they should help you. For example, have a good idea of the
species you want prior to going out - of course you might luck onto
something totally different once you are out there, but have something in
mind. One of those posts in the archive listed a whole bunch of trees that
generally do well when collected (I am in NE Ohio, so the species should be
similar to what you will fine). A couple of the posts also list some books
that could assist you - many of which are available in the library!!! Check
out a couple, because species of trees (for most of us) are difficult to
recognize without their leaves. Finally, one piece of advice gleaned from
experience and which no one else gave you....take into consideration how far
and over what type of terrain you will have to carry your prize(s). The
biggest one I collected last spring was, of course, the longest from the
car. It took my son and I a couple of hours to carry it back to the car and
we were both ready to drop when we finally made it. Dirt is heavy! So are
thick trunks. Be prepared.

Good luck - hope you find something nice and, after following everyone's
advice, are able to successfully keep it alive.

Jeff Isom
Cleveland, OH / Sunset Zone 39

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Ken Rutledge++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

Another good tool is a square ended shovel where the
cutting edge has been sharpened, and a hammering
device for driving the shovel into the ground, cutting
some of the smaller roots.

Kitsune Miko

--- Allen wrote:
Bring with you a good shovel, loppers, saw, maybe a
hatchet.
Another good lesson he taught us is this:
The most important part of bonsai is learning how to
keep a tree
healthy in a container! If you can't do this, all
the styling
techniques are useless !
Best of luck !

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Ken Rutledge++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

Another good tool is a square ended shovel where the
cutting edge has been sharpened, and a hammering
device for driving the shovel into the ground, cutting
some of the smaller roots.

Kitsune Miko

--- Allen wrote:
Bring with you a good shovel, loppers, saw, maybe a
hatchet.
Another good lesson he taught us is this:
The most important part of bonsai is learning how to
keep a tree
healthy in a container! If you can't do this, all
the styling
techniques are useless !
Best of luck !

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Ken Rutledge++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++