First Yamadori

[Fish]

Hi All,

Just thought I would share a little story about a man and his first planned collection morning.

It started at 9 am with my mother ringing twice and waking me from another drug induced sleep trying to avoid insomnia, wow, I wish it could be 9 am again. Anyway, the kids were already bouncing around the house, the wife was already....the wife....(kidding, she is a bloody amazing woman to put up with me.) so as I was saying, two phone calls, loving family, pouring rain had stopped and I thought to myself, I said, Self, lets go digging.
So into the car went the kids (bless xmas and ipods), next went the wife (bless new clothes that made her feel good), next went the tools. Quick stop into Bunnings for a couple of things, then onto the road.
One hour later, and countless "what are we looking for again's" from the wife, not a peep from kids (again, bless the ipods) I have got nothing. Two hours later, and only two mango trees in the back (for the wife) I still don't have anything.
Conclusion, next time don't take the kids or the wife, because every time I drive alone, I cant stop looking for and finding great finds for Bonsai, when the car is full, nada.
Oh well, I had fun spending time with them and getting out of the house before the torrential rain started again.
Merry Xmas all and I hope you all have a safe new year.

Fish

[andy hodges]

lol, love your work.
I find the best time for searching and collecting is between
4am and 8am. still in the cool of the day and doesn't take from time with loved ones.
thanks for the story. I know the feeling all too well.

[Fish]

Might just have to try that next time, thanks Andy

Fish

[Aussie_Bonsai]

lol, sounds like you had fun, even though you didnt get any yamadori at last you got some magoe trees for the wife.

Regards,
Ben

[Bretts]

Hi Fish
I have been in a very similar situation in past years. Heading out to the hills I dragged the wife and kids hiking for hours up the hills. Was great fun but found nothing. Returning to where we started as the sun was setting I found heaps of natural root over rock Gums but they where mostly uncollectible. I still have my eyes on those gums with a couple of ideas on collecting in the future.
I started to think there was nothing to collect in my area which was some what annoying but then I found many collecting areas by chance. Travelling 3/4 of an hour to work every day. Come spring I noticed patches of exotic trees flowering on the side of the road. Wow I never new they where there. First year I ended up with silly nectarines but after keeping a close eye on these areas in the years to follow I distinguished the plums, hawthorns, elms, firethorns and cotoneasters. I could not believe these trees had been under my nose and never noticed them.
Then one day I spotted a massive olive tree , I had been down this road many times, Yet when I went searching this area I found very little. Yet doing a scenic drive just out of town a few months later I came across many in a certain area agian, I had hit onto these by chance.
These days whenever I am driving about I often keep one eye in the scrub for the tell tale signs of exotic weeds and am amazed how certain areas have absolutely nothing and yet some other areas are chokers with exotics. Keeping on the lookout whenever you are out and about will cover much more ground than specifically searching out new spots. In fact I don't think I have ever found a tree to collect by heading out into uncharted area just for the purpose. Once you start spotting these patches it is amazing how many more you will find right under your nose!

[Fish]

I get what your saying Bretts and I agree, the idea of focusing on a goal of collecting the prize from a certain location was only ever going to lead me to disappointment. Fun with the family aside, I think I will just keep eyes open as you say. I travel over 3000km each week to work and back so the area being scanned will be better for collecting. Also I go through some different climates so will be interesting what I find. All I can say is thank god I drive a ute, because I think I am going to be collecting a few things.
What do you think about turning those mangoes into bonsai, rekon it will work and produce some fruit.
Fish