Yamadori pests_part one

I am sure most of bonsai enthusiasts have some experience with pests.  Bonsai simply  attracts attention that  is not always welcomed.   To some extent it also applies to yamadori...

There are two main yamadori  pests categories:  human beings and wild boars.  

Please note that for me it is sometimes quite difficult to make a clean split between these two groups,  but for the purpose of this article I will do my best to keep it separated.

HUMAN BEINGS

1. FOREST WORKERS 

The above  note in italic doesn't apply to this group as they simply do the job they are paid for: ie removing self seeded shrubs/trees, trees with problematic growth pattern etc

Anatomy and description:

Very often well built and muscular individuals.  Avoidance of direct physical contact recommended.

Due to the lonely character of their job they might be difficult to approach and not very communicative.

This picture is only informative.  This guy is in fact very nice and  he is one of the best professional  lumberjack in the world

 

 

Yamadori protection:

Problematic.  Follow the activity and remove the yamadori at the earliest possible term.   Alternatively,  try to make a friend of them.   Random supply of  beverages that helps to fight the cold can ease the process.  Such friendship can even help you to some great yamadories...

2. OTHER YAMADORI HUNTERS

Anatomy and description:

Various individuals. Common characteristics:  Dirty hands and knees  as they tend to check every possible tree/shrub for the dimension of the trunk and distribution of the surface roots. Despite the fact that they may carry some specific tools such as shovels or pickaxe  they are usually not forest workers. They move slowly and persistently through the terrain with their eyes fixed on the ground. It seems they are attracted by any pile of leaves or needles that outlines small shrubs. At that moment they tend to get down on their knees and eagerly rake the surface around the tree with their fingers.  It is better to avoid any contact at this stage as they could be dangerous like a wild sow protecting her piglets.   At any other time the communication helps and you can find a good friend that share your hobby and who can help you to carry the bloody heavy trees. 

Unfortunately there are still some untamed individuals that do not hesitate to collect a yamadori that has been prepared for a collection by someone else.  The problem is that they are difficult to be differentiated from the tamed ones as they often refuse to be ID chipped or banded... 

Yamadori protection:

I have started to mark selected yamadories with a yellow plastic label attached to the plant with the nylon cable ties.  It is covered by soil but it is clearly visible once you remove the soil covering the roots.   The number indentified on the label helps me to keep a track of the tree.

Otherwise, any reasonable safety precautions pays off:

   -  I do not visit the location if someone can see me there

   -  I try to camouflage all possible interventions I have done.   Out of sight, out of mind...

           cuts sealed and covered by local material to make it less visible ( leaves, needles, moss etc )

           removed branches are cut in pieces and taken with me to be disposed on a suitable location

           added substrates covered by a layer of  original local soil

           added stones that help to create a barrier against the soil slide on the slopes are covered by                  moss, leaves, dry branches etc - ie local material that covers the soil

           

3. EXPLORATIVE INDIVIDUALS 

Anatomy and description:

Widespread living creatures difficult to tackle,  usually males, very often kids.  Common characteristics:  Attraction by strange things such as a bag of a moss on the branch.   

Yamadori protection:

Hide, hide, hide.  And hide.