1	Is Collecting for You?
2	Characteristics of a Collector Likes the outdoors Comfortable in the wilderness Good navigation skills Move at an appropriate pace Willing to return empty handed and consider the day a complete success Safety first – bring essential outdoor equipment Not a lot of instant bonsai out there. 2-3 years minimum after collecting to be ready to show.
3	Preparation Pre Trip Planning National Forest Area Maps USGS Detail Maps Google Earth Look when you drive in the mountains 2 Ways to collect The Really Hard Way Pick Axe, Shovel, Lots of muscle Lot’s of locations and trees (not always the best however) Lower survival rates – consider planting in ground after collect. The Kind of Hard Way Pry Bar, Saw, Clippers Few locations and trees (more character to the trees) Like any Off Trail Hike ‘Be Prepared’ Notify someone where you are going Don’t go alone Bring Essentials to stay safe Go at a comfortable pace Navigation Tools Map and Compass GPS 2 way radios
4	When and What To Collect Collecting can be done at any time of the year if a tree is properly collected. Spring is the optimal time to collect. Colorado Ponderosa, Limber Pine, Douglas Fir, Lodgepole Pine, Rare Juniper Rock Collecting Photo Collecting Wyoming Ponderosa, Rare Juniper New Mexico Junipers and Pinion Pine This will be collecting the hard way!! California Collecting on Private Property in old orchards (GSBF Convention Field Trips) Olive, Grape Vine, Rocks Olives require serious work, grapes are easier California/Sierra Juniper require extra care and special patience Florida Buttonwood, Bald Cypress Northern Woods West Coast New England Etc…
5	What not to collect Trees in narrow cracks Trees with stunted needles (sign of beetle or dwarf mistletoe infestation) Bulges on Lodgepole Long Scraggly branches. Reverse taper on trunk Long roots leading to a pad Cedar-Apple Rust on Juniper
6	Identify a General Area using NFS Maps
7	Find Specific Access Points and Terrain Features
8	Satellite of Collecting Area
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10	Obtaining Permits National Forests Pike NF – Fairplay Ranger District Roosevelt NF – Lodgepole Collecting Area Medicine Bow in Wyoming Carson NF in New Mexico Many other NF offices. Don’t be afraid to ask. Private Land Obtain Permission First Fees $10 to $15 per tree (cash is best) 5-10 tree limits per year Personal Use permits Usually good for limited collection times up to 1 year.
11	Identify Location/Plan Trip Obtain Permits First Permits are not required to look Identify 3-4 likely areas to scout out in a 20-40 mile radius. Plan on Driving 4wd roads in search of slabs or domes Get out and ‘walk the rock’
12	What to Bring Along Collecting Tools Crowbar Pruning Shears Collapsible Saw Wrapping Material Burlap, Nails and Twine Plastic Stretch Wrap Camera – collect the uncollectable trees! Clothing Long Pants and Long Sleeves Hat Clear Glasses Work Gloves Food and Water Lots of Water or Gatorade like drinks Snacks Emergency Gear Appropriate for Weather and location GPS Cell Phone Map and Compass Rain Jacket Etc…
13	Navigation Tools/Permits
14	Collecting Tools
15	Identify Specific Areas of Interest Look for signs of collectable trees Trees in the area look like bonsai Flat Slabs of rock Benches overlooking river cut valleys Not too dry/Not too wet Look for NF signs and respect private property North facing sides of gullies Leave the Road/Leave the trails
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17	Finding a Collectable Tree Visual Clues Stunted Growth Rock bowls, Rock Cracks (less productive), Dihedral corners Pad of Dirt surrounding trunk Healthy needle growth Test the root pad Black moist soil Soil Moves around 180 degrees or more when base of trunk is moved Use your tools Carefully use pry bar to loosen pad and find lateral ‘tap roots’ Use Saw or clippers to cut large roots as they leave the root pad Handle small feeder roots with care Wrap immediately in Stretch film or burlap Wrap must be tight!!! So that roots do not move independently from trunk Leave it still alive if it won’t collect easily
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22	Immediate Care Don’t collect if you can’t get a root pad Collect as much root as you can carry Keep Moisture on roots at all times Use Stretch Wrap Moisten Burlap Soak in bucket if possible Trim off unwanted branches Keep in shade and cool if possible Walk slowly through woods to avoid bending small branches or breaking any dead wood
23	At Home Care Immediately Repot Trim roots to fit into container Reposition Tree in pot Put under misters and shaded area for 1-2 weeks or more. Over time expose to ¾ sun. Plant in ground during heat of summer AND cold of winter for optimal health Remove new buds to encourage back budding. Note – Discuss Spring vs Fall bud removal and cutting back current years growth on Ponderosa
24	Trees In Development When to pinch buds on Ponderosa When to cut off terminal growth and what happens to the branch. Fertilizing Foliar Feeding Re-create optimal conditions for Ponderosa Moist/Cool Roots all day long Duff covering protects root pad in forest ¾ of a day of full sun
25	Collected Trees
26	Questions