Jay No one has preformed an experament persay. We have purchased trees from shows bonsai nurserys and regular nurserys over a ten year period. Almost all of this material had root problems that required work that often would be the end of the tree, I don't know if this experiance counts toward your answer.

Glenn

Glen,

Just a bit of clarification.

When I said that the privet was in clay, I meant it was in clay. Not soil-like clay, or clay with soil, or soil with a bit of clay in it - pure clay. If you can wash this off, you are a better man than I. Think about a good stoneware clay. Then fill it with roots. That is what I am dealing with. It can not be washed off - it can not be combed out.

The only way to proceed is to literally saw off chunks of this stuff and replace with good soil. As this cannot be done in one go, it will take some years. Does that mean I shouldn't bother? Not in my mind at least.

Regards,

Fish.

Just thought I would put in my 2 cents (again)
Underground roots can be fixed in a short time if it is done right. Proper season, proper aftercare and good well draining replacement soil. Roots do like to grow and will do so with a vengeance under the proper conditions.
Just to prove a point here is a bald cypress that was severely bound and even more severely root pruned early last year. By the end of September the roots had already filled about 50% of the tub it was put in. The next thing that was done was to rip it out of the tub, root prune it again and put it into a bonsai pot. All this in less than one year.
Not all specie of trees can withstand this treatment but with care a lot of abuse can be thrown their way.
The cypress is not only alive but happily growing. A new apex has been established and the pot is again filling with roots ;o)
Will be ready for sale by May but I might just keep this one.
Ron

Attached Images

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Here is a picture of the original pot it was in. So root bound that it was splitting the pot. !!!!

Ron

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Well, humility is a great thing so, no doubt, all the arrows thrown Glenn's way are good for him. However, I have to say that I really appreciate Glenn's contributions to the forum. Of course, like all of us, he comes up with the ocassional muff, but I, for one, have learned alot from the experience he has shared with us.

I suppose that this has had alot to do with the fact that I share his interest in the "pre-bonsai" part of the "bonsai life cycle" and, at least at this point, am very interested in how to get young nursery stock (1 gallon), collected material (not trees ready to bcome bonsai but younger or rawer material) and seedlings to the point they are ready for styling. I'm interested in styling, also, but continue to have great interest in the "pre-bonsai" process.

Now, I have found that many of the "bonsai artists" find this interest pretty ridiculous and are very quick to disparage it. I continue to be unrepentent, however, and continue to find Glenn a kindred spirit and his comments of great interest.

Kind regards, Fred

No arrows came from my direction. Sorry if it sounded that way.
I was just trying to show what could be done not what anyone else is doing to prep a tree for bonsai.

Every thing is ok here, we live and learn by what we see, say and hear. I will stay in here with you all.

Glenn

While everyone is freaking out about the root, nebari, trunk debate - pleaaaase learn how to spell the word "lose." Not "loose," as in someone has a few screws loose - or, dang...this tree is loose in it's pot. If your tree dies, you "LOSE" it. If you are on a team that isn't winning...you are "LOSING"...NOT "loosing." Sheeeesh!

So many opinions and so many "masters" - yet a simple four letter word is rarely spelled correctly on here. Paying attention to your nebari, roots, and branch placement won't mean much at all if you can't verbalize how you achieve things.

Respectfully (*grin* OMC),
Marsha

Dang it Marsha ;o)

I am still learning how to do bonsai (after 30+years) . Another person tells me that I have to learn photography because the pictures of my bonsai suck. The city wants me to take classes to become certified to use fertilizers. My accountant naturally wants me to learn accounting. My wife insists on me taking public speaking classes. Those that read my articles say that I must take an effective writing class.
Now you tell me I have to learn to spell !!!
Darn and all I ever wanted to do was a little bitty bonsai.

Ron
Note
This is a lame attempt at humor.

There's always somebody asking yet one more thing of us, huh? Yep...seems that way. See how much trouble one little bitty bonsai can create? It's almost like a snowball effect! Gotta love those monkeys - they can teach us a lot!

Marsha