Massive Yamadori Ponderosa Pine
Before I share the images of this tree, I’d like to take a moment to tell you a story about it. This tree was collected at 6,000 feet, on the southwest slope of a towering granite face. It was nestled perfectly in a bowl, carved out of the rock over centuries by the forces of erosion. From what I could tell, the granite had slowly chipped away year after year, battered by freeze-thaw cycles and spring runoff, gradually forming this natural pocket. Over time, the tree took root in this secluded spot, growing against all odds.
For hundreds—perhaps even 500 or 600 years—this tree had fought to survive. It extended its roots over the rock, reaching for water, fighting against snow loads and the harsh runoff that tried to wash it away. Somehow, it kept going. When my friend Jason and I stumbled upon it, we were completely in awe of what we saw. The way it sat perched on the side of the mountain was nothing short of incredible. The twists and turns of the trunk, the rugged bark, and the intricate deadwood that wound around it—each mark on the tree told a story of the hardships it had endured: falling snow, rocks, and even other trees.
This tree had been standing there for what felt like a millennium, silently pushing through each challenge, reaching for sunlight, nutrients, and life. We couldn’t help but climb down and approach it. Without much thought, we gave the trunk a gentle push… and to our shock, it MOVED. Now, that’s a relative term, of course, considering the size of the tree and the trunk. But this wasn’t the usual kind of “movement” we sometimes encounter with trees that need a little coaxing from the soil. This tree gave way with surprisingly little effort.
This was a new experience for us. Normally, when we encounter a tree like this, it takes hours of work—digging, searching for roots, breaking rocks to release its hold. But this one? It was different. We were ecstatic. Jason and I started to carefully extract it from the mountain, working to free its roots without causing harm. After three hours of patient effort, we had it—completely free of the rock that had once been its home. We were both in awe.
Now came the real challenge: getting it up the rock face, into the rig, and safely back down the mountain without getting ourselves into trouble. It took every ounce of creativity and patience we had, but we made it happen. The sheer weight and size of this tree were unreal, and I never anticipated collecting something so massive in one day. Once we managed to secure it in the rig, the drive back was… well, it was a wild ride.
When we got home, I began building the box where this tree would recover over the next few years. It quickly became clear that I was in over my head—I had no idea how I was going to unload or plant this giant into my bonsai world. So, I called in reinforcements. My son, along with Jason and Dewayne, came to help. And thank goodness for Dewayne’s skid steer, with forks and a bucket—without that equipment, the operation would have been far more complicated.
The photos won’t do this tree justice, but I hope the video and future updates will give you a better sense of what an extraordinary specimen this is.
I want to take a moment to thank my wife, my family, and all my friends who have supported me in this hobby, this lifestyle, or this addiction (depending on the day!). Your support means everything to me, and I feel so blessed to have you in my life. Thank you!
