AusBonsai

Hi All,

A few quick questions from me.

I've been walking around my neighbourhood looking for trees that would be suitable for Bonsai. There are a few pines in the area, but i'm not sure of the variety. Photos below.

1. What variety of pine are they?
2. Should i bother with them for Bonsai? (there are heaps of small trees in a gully area nearby).
3. Any tips regarding digging? (time of year etc).

Cheers.

Hi,

If you crush some needles, and it has a pleasant scent, then there is a good chance that they are pinus radiata or California pines.

The colour of the young candles does suggest that too. But I cannot be certain.

Ensure you have proper permission before digging!

Cheers.

Thanks for the response, i'll give that a go.

Permission wise, i might check with the local council. They are on the side of a road and the council staff have "trimmed" some of the small trees nearly flush with the ground (so can't be that important to them).

Hi Newba003, I am no expert, but the close-up pics look like radiata to me.
If you do collect them, be careful of the yellow pollen sacks (male cones) as they are filled with pollen and will burst at the slightest touch. No drama, just would hate for you to breathe in a lung full of them if you are asthmatic or suffer from hayfever etc.
If they are only small like the pics you have shown, just take a couple with surrounding soil intact and soak in seasol for an hour or so then pot them up and water them in.
Good luck, Dario.

if it is three needle. i should be radiata
the cone looks like radiata cones too