Hi Beto, I got a BLM permit for areas near my home. They wanted me to be a little specific about the areas I want to collect in. They said I can call if I find other areas to add. I'm not used to collecting around here but I'm guessing we only have about a month for the 6000' to 7000' range. I want to get a forest permit for higher elevations but have just not done that yet.

Hi Beto, I got a BLM permit for areas near my home. They wanted me to be a little specific about the areas I want to collect in. They said I can call if I find other areas to add. I'm not used to collecting around here but I'm guessing we only have about a month for the 6000' to 7000' range. I want to get a forest permit for higher elevations but have just not done that yet.

I really enjoyed this video, I especially liked how he changed direction mid way through the styling to come up with something better.

Oh man, I love the artwork and the design! Thank you! If I were to go this route making the back the front would probably lend itself better. The deadwood goes all the way through the tree, so it has that character both sides. It would be easier to create the new apex ( as the branch you have for the new apex leans away from the viewer with the current front and is in a good position from the back), also the main branch would be more towards the back instead of coming out towards you which gives a little more flexibility. I'll have to take an image of the back and post it. I also really like the idea of shortening the tree. I've considered a bunjin style before but never really liked anything I came up with. If this were a brand new tree I'd jump all over it, the problem is I've had it forever so a drastic change requires more of a commitment from me, if you know what I mean : )

Here is a little sketch incorporating the suggestions and filling out over time.

Hello Duncan, That would be something useful for a lot of members I would think. The way the Portland Bonsai Society laid out their Calendar looked most helpful to me. Every time we've moved I've had casualties, this spring the last hard freeze came on June 7th for example. Thanks for offering and I hope it works out.

Hello Beto, Hopefully we can meet up someday. It would be nice if the group would put something together. I live near Durango so if we could coordinate a trip where the location is somewhere west and south of Denver we could probably meet up to go collecting. I'm going to try and get permits for around my area soon, last year they couldn't get a permit to me till it was later than I wanted.

Thank you! This was a great in depth article. Much appreciated.

Thanks Dan, I'll read up on heat beds. This is our second winter in Colorado, I never used a heat bed in Montana. Everything would just freeze solid and that was actually a good way to keep them. The scots and junipers and native trees did quite well. I was shocked at how dry the ground got between the end of March and the end of April here. I think this year I'll try in late March if the ground stays wet. I really want to get out and look for some blue spruce and lodgepoles, but I want to figure things out a little better first.

Hello Duncan, that would be a lot of fun if we can pull it off. My main goal at this point is to learn as well. I've collected trees before and thought I knew a couple things. But apparently not. Anyways hope to meet up some day.

Thanks Mike for the welcome and the info. I'd love to hook up with some of the members to tag along on a collection trip. Of course logistics might be an issue depending on the location and how things shape up in the next few months. If you someone let them know I'm interested.