193/5000 It's sad to know that. I love your videos, love the way you collect and take care of bonsai. You are the one who inspired me to play bonsai. From Vietnam with love!
I have watched many videos of Bonsai propagation: these are far and away the best presented. No frills: no "fat": all lean! Intelligent, straightforward and easy to follow - unlike some of the self-indulgent nonsense on some sites! The narrative and the filming have the most important thing: clarity and a good store of knowledge. Very well done!
"It's not always easy". It's literally never easy, it takes months to see if what you did had any effect, decades to complete a project. I've raised children with less effort than tending three bonsai trees.
I love gardening, i love to make bonsai and i am learning about it more and more each day since i was 9years old.. now m 22.. u are fantastic and thank you for your contribution to my knowledge of bonsai. Hope i would learn more from you. All the best.
It's not easy to show weakness, and I almost didn't show it, but as I commented just a second ago, this happens to all of us at some point. I don't think it would be fair to say that it's all fun & games & easy, because it most certainly isn't. Hope you were able to get some good ones despite the difficulties. I was in Utah around two years ago for business, but in awe of the mountains and trees and the like. Sorta jealous you got to dig & I didn't!
I had forgotten about this video. Is I almost a quintessential field dug video showing what really happens. I love the the Appalachian woods and look forward to getting back in them after a little knee surgery. Until them, I am living vicariously through your videos. Thanks so much, Steve
Thats what Bonsai is all about man! Gettin dirty and working hard sometimes.. I know EXACTLY the feeling when it looks easy but it's hours of work gettin' that sweet yamadori... Some swedish steel (Husqvarna) and some american powerwill made it!
Thanks for your videos, I started collecting trees from my property to begin learning Bonsai, it has always interested me, and videos like yours really help Take care Rob
The persimmon reminds me of my jasmine. The 30 year old jasmine was part of a jasmine hedge around the back of a house I bought in North Palm Beach, FL. It took two years of pruning beforehand and 2 days of root cutting to wrest it from the hedge. After five years training in upright, root over rock I was pleased with it. I moved to Washington DC and gave the tree to a gardener in St Augustine FL who had admired it.
This feels so antithetical to the practice of bonsai cultivation... I could feel your impatience and frustration, and I wouldn't be surprised if the tree could too. I haven't seen your more recent videos, but I wish you well on your process.
Now this is a Persimmon of substance, love the bark and you have the makings of a stunning tree and as its an old tree, flowering and fruiting should be quick. Look forward to the updates.
Thank you, Mr. Kahn! We have several trees on the property, but all of them are so large, I didn't think I'd find anything suitable until I happened upon this. Even still, we shall see if it bears fruit or flowers only. They're so pretty - until they're ugly, then they're tasty! I'd be happy to send you seeds from some of the others, as they're bound to bear fruit sooner than this. Not sure how customs views seeds, but if no issue, I'll forward them on! Cheers
I enjoyed watching you dig out that tree. That was an old established tree and knew it would be hard to excavate. I smiled at the hard work you put into the chore. I would have given up but you stuck to it. Good for you!
I have been pursuing bonsai in my mind for years. I am about to take the plunge and try starting a tree. I have been growing an evergreen in my yard for a few years and looks to be my first project. Thank you for all of the knowledge you share in these videos. Peace&Love!
You've inspired me! I live on the edge of a MO Ozark mountain and there are all kinds of possibilities I've realized...right here in my own back yard! Thanks!
This a very honest example of how collecting trees from the wild can sometimes be. You did really well to remain calm and get the tree out, the fact that it didn't survive is irrelevant, you tried your best for a tree that could never have thrived left where it was. I'm looking foreword to more Yamadori videos this spring but would also love to see some more of your development techniques too. Thanks for your hard work
I haven't finished the video, just saw your comment about the tree dying. You deserve a like and my subscription, just for your dedication, hard work and passion. Truly enjoyable video 👍🏻
I just received my first bonsai for my birthday. I wanted to do it right, so I binged watched RU-vid videos for a couple of days. I came across this one by accident. Not only is Appalachia my favorite place on Earth, I loved your dedication to living art. This video was an inspiration, though I won't be going into the woods and digging out stumps ;-), but I'm somewhat sadistically happy that you are. Thanks.
great video..when some thing starts to become a little stress full and you start to question to stop or continue, in the end of completing the task I like to yell at it "I WIN YEAH I WIN" makes me feel better. haha
I've been watching your videos for a while. Great job. I'm exhausted from the work and frustration that went into collecting this tree. Really can't wait to see what you have planned for your new haul
I've only two more collection videos for this year - a hawthorn and a white pine. There will probably be a few other videos spread in between; I'll be describing soil mixtures, collection ethics, bonsai failures, and a few others. Thank you for continuing to support the channel, Delores!
I searched for Bonsai and found your channel, so interesting, I can see why that guy in Scotland gets tired watching you lol Thanks for sharing all the best Steve
Hi.. I really appreciate the effort you made on collecting that tree..As a beginner i really understand how these beautiful Bonsai trees are crated with lots of effort..Great work..Looking forward to see the tree in future...
Well I can't be entirely agree with Yamadori. And I say "entirely", because I collected a couple of trees my self, but they where (two Mimosa trees), from a really small hole between to cobblestones in the city, so they weren't gonna live too much there. And another one from directly bellow important electricity lines, where they don't let the trees get big because of security, so they couldn't get too old neither. But from the nature, I don't think I agree to take a tree from there. I respect what you do, but I think there are a bunch other ways to get a bonsai. And they are totally fun too.
I can agree with you there. In many ways, collecting is a bad idea, especially when it exploits rare and important species. I know that the theft of olive trees has been a major problem, and therefore illegal in many countries. I don't think they were all heading for bonsai places, but it doesn't matter, it's wrong. The trees I've collected are very common and often considered 'trash' species. But, does that make it right? Not necessarily. I've been collecting ideas for a video, and it's become so large that it will become a small series of videos discussing the ethics of collecting trees. As far as urban collecting, I'm all for it, as long as permissions are obtained. Trees in the city and sidewalks have very few chances to live long, whereas if they're cared for, as they are in bonsai, they'll outlive us. I value your input, and I hope you stick around for the videos, my friend! Thanks!
Of course I 'll stick around. I like your videos. I love your small Juniper, the one you use to make the video "How to Winterize Your Bonsai". Couldn't get the type of Juniper is though. About Yamadori, my concern is that there are some people that just don't have that limit to think about protected species, or inappropriate environments for trees to live. I can't wait to see that series of videos about collecting trees. I'll be there taking part of the discussion ;). Thanks to you for your work!
The little punk... That's Taboo. She and her sister Ace own this place. You raise them from pups, give them all the love and attention, pay their bills, and let them run free, and look how they repay you. Pffft! Dogs!
Hey, I thought she was adorable. Heck, you're already collecting bonsai with a chainsaw, an ATV, in the Appalachian mountains, off your rural mountain property -- having your cattle dog stroll through the picture is just icing on the cake. And, yes, I noticed them patiently, OHH SO PATIENTLY sitting in the background while you were trying to dig out the persimmon, day after day..... :D
Yamadori are collected with the intent to keep the tree alive, not to destroy it. A collected tree has as much chance of living as a seedling does if taken care of properly. Do you consider a person who collects a seed from the tree a thief? If they plant that seed,and it dies, is that person also a tree killer? My house is made of dead trees. The bridge I cross to get to my house is made of dead trees, as is the paper I write on to pay the bills for it. We are all tree killers, you & I both. Mankind wouldn't be very far without them. If you don't believe that, go live under a rock and stop eating.
Pfft, tree killer my ass. There is a great bonsai saying "if you aren't killing trees, you aren't doing bonsai". And it's absolutely true. You have to kill some to get the special ones.
I agree that bonsai artists kill loads of trees (I have), but we (or at least I) live in a place where red maples and hornbeams and eastern white pines are plentiful with little chance of extinction in the near future. However, it's illegal in many countries (especially the mediterranean where I think @stampuhhSC is from) because tree theft is a major problem. 2500-year-old olive trees planted by the Romans are being dug up to sell to rich clients. That's cultural heritage - and that sucks! Most of these guys don't even know how to keep it alive, and therefore, 'Yamadori = Tree killer." I get it. If someone were to get onto my land and steal my ginseng and my lady slippers, they'd be leaving with a few holes in their clothes and some salt in their legs. It's a damned shame that some people exploit their surroundings for quick cash and trophies, as it ruins it for those with good intentions. I believe I was on a hot-streak when the initial comment was made, and for that I'm at fault for my rudeness. But, I'm still up for tree collecting. I just think there's a reasonable balance that needs to be found. I've an ethics video series that should 'hopefully be started by the end of July that can start a further discussion on it. Keep tabbed, John. I want to hear your side, too. That's what this is for!
Yeah that is reprehensible when people steal trees and especially important trees. Or when some meth head burns down an ancient, priceless and beautiful tree it is devastating. Methusale got burned down. The US Forest Service keeps location of special trees secret (like 5000 year old Bristlecone pines in California or wherever they are I forget at moment). I always plant a young sapling or two in the area of where I take a Yamadori.
I love this video. It's got met excited to collect some material of my own. I really appreciate the story behind these trees too. I can't wait to see what you do with them in a couple of years when you repot and / or wire some of them.
Sam!! What's up, brother!! I am having fun. Happy you found it. Maybe one of these days we'll bump into each other in some place that's actually social!
This makes my winch-pulling technique look easy. Sorry the tree did not make it, but not for a lack of busting your hump. Thanks for the video. Very nicely produced.
Really enjoyed this video, thank you, I’m currently attempting to pot up a 20yr old hawthorn that my brother brought home from work while doing a fencing job, I really can relate to this video 👍
Love this! I've got an Elm on our lot that's at the corner of an out building and every time I think about what a beautiful Bonsai it could be my brain thinks about how hard it's going to be to get it out. The stump is about 5" wide and about as high and it's lush with new growth. The people that take care of the yardwork (we rent) cut it back every year. I'm seriously thinking about digging out as much as I can then pulling it out with a come-along since it's right up against a cinderblock wall.
Wait until next spring, since now isn't a very good time for collecting. But, if it's going to waste and you're still around then, give it a try. If you lose it, there's isn't much loss other than some hard work and pride. Happens to us all from time to time. If you're new to bonsai, then I'll suggest this: While you're waiting until spring, read up some more on bonsai, catch a few more vids, especially the next few I do, since they concern collecting ethics and soil. I think it's important. Learn as much as you can. If you're already feeling pretty seasoned with caring for bonsai, then go for it. Great luck!
Yep. Every year I forget to do it. So far I've killed everything I've collected, though I've had a Ficus b. that's 30y old now and cuttings from it (if you can fall a ficus a Bonsai), plus a Crimson Queen Maple I'm training.
I think ficus are absolutely good for bonsai. I've seen several amazing ones. Maples are also a sweet choice. There's another video I need to do that discuss what to do after collection, because I only briefly mention what else needs to happen and why. I'll try to get that by September or before.
I gave up on my first persimmon collection this spring at around the 2 min mark for you haha so glad I didn't continue down that rabbit hole without the proper equipment
Sometime your voice reminds me of the dude from dirty jobs. Great job on your videos. Relaxing. Makes me wanna go in these Tennessee mountains and find some.
Keep us informed on the persimmon tree. To my untrained eye, I would have been afraid to do the surgery that you did. But it seems to have worked. Thanks for the vid.
I'll keep you informed. You, like everyone else, knows that this was a complicated and potential disaster. It's still on the fence. There will be an update in the fall.
Oh good lord, i understand the work you've been trough with this one! Digging something like that is a hell of a job, i hope all the work will pay off in a few years! Keep up!
watching you dig that sucker out brought back horrifying flashbacks to when i was a kid and our neighbor hired me to dig up and transport her planted fence of 15ft tall bamboo clumps from the front yard to the back...hours and hours for weeks of wetting, digging, hacking, prying, and sweating for 20 bucks and an atta boy lol my wife mentioned to me last summer "what do you think about planting bamboo along the fence line?" i was ready to ask for a divorce right then and there lol
So jealous of your beautiful property! Collecting is the most fun part of bonsai for me. Too bad this one died...been there (many times) done that. In fact I have a video of just one of my prized trees burning in my fire pit. But enough about me. YOU, my friend, are inspiring...love your explanations about how the sugars feed the branches and help grow the roots...oh, yeah, it died. Oh well, you're a youngster and have so much time left to grow more stuff! I used to live in Virginia before retiring to Florida. I miss the rolling hills...your place looks great. Thanks for the work you do!
It's still struggling. That first flush of growth was from the retained sugars, but now it is needing to produce roots to sustain it. It isn't happening in some areas, and half the foliage has wilted and dropped. It is my belief that there haven't been enough roots produced fast enough to push water, and the tree has dropped leaves for survival. Others have said persimmon will do that from time to time, going so far as to drop all leaves, then put out a new set the following spring. Time is all I have. I'll keep you updated.
I just found your RU-vid channel and this is the second of your videos I’ve seen. Sorry to hear that tree died. I’ve heard other dog around a tree and put sphagnum moss in and water it regularly to grow new and fine roots next to the trunk. Hope you can find another nice tree like that and have better luck.
it was really good video and it shows the hard work for a heavy , difficult yamadori . Keep on the good work and keep your eyes open for the next good one
your dedication for this one is tremendous....hope it bears fruit. :) its very entertaining to see the process of collecting to potting and see some ray of hope for the tree... what trees can survive collecting without root balls?
Deciduous trees are really the only ones that can be collected this way. Conifers like pine & juniper will not survive it. But even so, it's never a guarantee, especially for this persimmon. Persimmons don't like root pruning. For those that have roots, it's best to repot them in the fall time. I took this one in the spring knowing there would be few roots remaining to sustain it through the winter. I just didn't know to what extent until I dug it up. The best trees I've found that take to the hard cutting have been hawthorn, privet, and viburnum. My other species have done just fine, too. Still, I lost a really nice privet this year that had good roots, while a cutting I took from it with absolutely no roots is thriving. I'll be showing a pine with lots of roots that's doing well, plus a video showing trees that didn't make it. Dead trees are a natural, albeit humbling, part of bonsai. 'You water some, you prune some, you repot some, you kill some.'
great work buddy. the humor kills it.. any videos on how to shape the branches and make it more look older miniature tree... and why ( brushing the trunk for.. ) TIA
Just posted a video to give a little progression advice on a different tree, with more of those type vids to come. I brushed the trunk to get rid of the moss.
I really enjoyed. I've always wanted to do something like that. I love olive bonsai trees, I want to make one with this technique. Watching from Spain!
Excellent! Let me give you two quick bits of advice: 1) Wait until the season is right for collecting. Late winter/early spring is correct season. You risk killing trees if you collect right now. 2) Get permissions. It's illegal in many places, especially in parts of Spain, Portugal, Italy, France, and other Mediterranean countries. Check your local laws beforehand so you don't get arrested. Tree theft is a big deal, and I don't want that happening to someone with good intentions. Good luck
I'm glad I found your channel! I have a tree very close to my wall - it's small and I cut it to a stump, but it still grows , I keep cutting and cutting it. I think I will try to remove it and put it like you show how. I hope I can do it
I can sympathize how really frustrating if the tree you're getting from the wild would survive or is it worth keeping it. But like you, I still continue to finish until I finally get it. That comes with great passion and belief that it will be worth once the tree will make until it becomes complete.
