"As for collecting, is it possible for you to mentor someone on collecting, possible go with them and in return for your knowledge they dig you a tree? Just a thought"
I've done that. Didn't want anything in return, but was offered some cash afterwards (for a tree that I had collected the year before)--not alot, but I think watching me bust my hump digging a tree made them feel a bit guilty
I don't think they had any idea how much effort it can take... I would not sell a freshly collected tree to someone with limited experience, as aftercare can be 50-60 percent of collecting. The digging is only the hard physical part...