FredL

Jeff, the stock you've found may have some problems, but it sounds like what you have is far from completely negative. The condition of the roots indicates that the trees have been in nursery containers for quite a long time with the result that the trees are well adapted to container life and have developed pretty good trunks and nebari. It is a job to repot such stock and, as you've discovered, it will probably take another repotting or two to get the roots appropriate to bonsai. However, working with these trees will teach you alot about repotting and it will be interesting and greatly satisfying to watch these trees develop as the result of your work.

Collecting wild trees or potting field grown stock is no picnic, either. Generally, the roots are a real mess and require at least a couple of years, maybe longer, to develop properly. The problem is kind of the opposite of what you have. Seldom can you get adequate roots with an older specimen and you hold your breath for a year while the tree decides whether life is worth the effort without any roots.

Yes, it is a joy to work with trees that have their roots developed properly by the time you get the trees, but it is just as great a joy to see roots that are a mess develop under your management into "Bonsai right" root pads.

At least, I enjoy it and derive great satisfaction from it!

Fred