Page 57 - BSAM 2018 Q1

We would plant the seedlings where there are natural yamadori native to Quebec; namely the North Shore and Lower North Shore along the northern coast
of the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
At the 20th anniversary banquet of the Bonsai and Penjing Society of Quebec (SBPQ), I became aware of the SBPQ’s commitments regarding the reforesta- tion and best practices for collecting ya-
madori. Yamadori is a ‘taker’ activity. e members were wondering about reversing the trend and giving something back to nature. Additionally, when we met other nature enthusiasts during our bonsai activities, they were sometimes uneasy with the practice of ya- madori. e proactive and positive plan was to plant seedlings back into Nature. e SBPQ will also pub- lish a ‘yamadori best practices’ guide to help collectors make informed decision about harvesting trees from the wild. Robert Smith, owner of the Bonsaï Gros-bec nursery and initiator of this unscienti c reforestation study, sent me an invitation to participate in this proj- ect. Wow! Me? I am a member of the Bonsai Society
and Penjing of Quebec and I was surprised to be ap- proached for the project of planting trees and collect- ing because I still consider myself an apprentice. Even on a small scale, this reforestation study was a great opportunity to learn and give future generations the potential to collect yamadori.
Planting seedling back into nature
In Quebec “Indian Summer” means our last chance for horticultural work before the nal freeze of winter. e announcement of this warm weather, without pre- cipitation, for the week of October 9 was the trigger for making the trip. Better to preach by example and this would be our last chance to do it this year.
It was easy to agree when to leave to plant and col- lect, but where to go? e answer was unanimous, go plant where there are beautiful, natural specimens na- tive to Quebec; namely the North Shore and Lower
Top; Daniel Lafortune scans the landscape for potential bonsai.
This geological area called an Allochthon, was formed by accretion of sediments 900 to 1200 million years ago and its soil is generally alkaline.
A variety of soil conditions from sphagnum to rocky outcrops made ideal planting conditions for the seedlings.
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