I know there are many ways to collect any tree. This is only one of perhaps a dozen ways to collect Tamarack or Larch. David Severson has been collecting with this method over a decade now and has some great specimens. I learned this method only this year so take it at its face value.

This is submitted as my opinion on how to collect these trees in my neck of da woods. It may be nowhere near the same way where you live.

The trees above have the four elements of design. Line, form, texture and definitely color. I am looking forward to working on these and about a dozen larches planned for collection in the spring of 2003.

I hope that I have kept you all interested.

Paul

Great thread, Paul, and interesting plan. I like it.

Those are all nice trees, but that first one especially has amazing potential. Looks like something that Walter Pall might have discovered on one of his collecting trips...

Best regards,
Carl

Hey Carl!!


Long time no chat !

All these trees look great in person, this fall was especially nice, but I dont have any golden photos to share. The first one is one of about 6 larches he has like that. Some are in the ground, and other trainers. I only posted these five because....for one I only had these five on my digital. Two, he wanted virtuals for these done. I want to take photos of them naked to get better lines.

Walter Pall has some great material. And some superior collecting areas too! Here in Noreast Mn, we have peat bogs. nothing special bout the trees as far as bonsai by nature goes. So we have to do it ourselves over a period of time.


hope to talk with you soon, and hope you and yours are doing fine!!

Paul

That would be terrific. I was actually thinking, as I was looking at the first tree, that I would love to work on a virtual for that one. So please do post (with a nice blank background, if possible). Oh, and include a foliage sample from this photo, so that we can play as in Al's contest!



Indeed! I spent yesterday climbing in the North Cascades, and I saw a lot of incredible mountain hemlocks that reminded me of some of the trees that Walter or Wolfgang Putz bring back. (Similar terrain, too!) I think it's just about impossible to get a permit to collect there, though, so I have to figure out the secret to collecting legally in the mountains of the Pacific Northwest.

Before I start lifting old material from the mountains, though, I want to make sure I'm really really good with hemlocks, so that I can do justice to the collected material. If I had a local peet bog from which to collect younger material, I think I'd be less scared to just dive in.

Take care,
Carl

OMC, The secret is a secret. Best advice, be secret, thats the secret.

Bonsai-?

Paul, That first tree is a gem. I would love to play with that tree for a couple hours. I think I could make somethin real nice....

Bonsai-al

I talked with Dave this morning, his Tamaracks are still in color, but are starting to shed a little. By weeks end we will see the bare forms and I will get four sides and solid backdrops for virtuals.

Yes Al, his tree material is awesome, I am somewhat envious, but he let me in on his "secret" collecting area. (The whole northern half of Minnesota!!!)


Paul

I think someone missed out on the chance to play with virtuals....



We can have our own contest, Al. Virtuals based on that first tree. Paul (or Dave) chooses the winner....

-Carl

I think Dave would be happy to choose the winner. I am going to try to be at his house in the next couple days. We are gonna take foursides for the virts on the five posted here. I will also shoot some others that he has for comparison.

Carl....I think your right. Al, try not to sponsor the next contest!!!



Paul

Very interesting article on collecting larches. It is good to see that you are learning to spend some time preparing your material befor lifting it. I am shure that this very much improves your rate of success.
Carl I think that the secret to collecting is only collecting legally. If you persist you will find some way to collect what you want.
Al the trouble with secrets is that they don't stay secret forever, then some judge will be publicly and legally collecting cash from your wallet.
Al you haven't been on the boards much, where have you been?