North American Yamadori: Collecting Two Trees for Bonsai in the Rocky Mountains

I journey to my local yamadori spot, what I call the bonsai cliff, to collect a grand fir (Abies grandis) and a Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) for bonsai. I explore the bonsai cliff and share the process of choosing and digging trees for bonsai. I pot the grand fir on site and take the Douglas fir home for potting. My plan is to keep these trees in morning sun and afternoon shade for the remainder of the growing season. I have had success collecting both species in the past, and have successfully collected trees at the bonsai cliff, so I’m optimistic that I’ll be able to repeat that success with these two trees. For viewers interested in yamadori, I recommend collecting legally and responsibly.