putting a collected tree in a bonsai pot

Urbansai

I've heard that the best size rootball on a collected tree is the largest you can handle on the way back to the car (Provided of course that it's full of living roots, not just a ball of dirt) . May be an unnecesary precaution, but most folks grow them in a training container for several years after collection anyways, so my theory is "better safe than sorry" (especially for pines and junipers). This does not take into account the type of soil the tree is originally growing in however, perhaps keeping alot of the old soil could be detremental depending on drainage and whatnot. I have not collected enough to be able to decipher. I would repot after 1 year in training box and do minimal root trimming, and complete replacement of soil. Most of my advice here is based on others experience and my own "attempt" to think logically about what's best for the tree. Wish i could offer better advice. Good luck,
_Urb_

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