This year will be the first of hopefully many society run collecting trips. Native species continue to become utilized more and more for bonsai. Many of the most promising deciduous species happen to be native to this area. Collecting trees from the wild provides access to pre-aged material and organic forms that are difficult to replicate in captive environments. In Missouri we have a plethora of old-growth forests within a short drive from St. Louis. On this trip we will be traveling to the Mark Twain National Forest near Potosi, MO where we have pre-arranged with the ranger district permission to collect trees here as a group.

The area selected for this trip is a scenic ~1.5 hour drive from St. Louis. Initial plans are to meet at the designated spot around 10 AM and collect for 3-4 hours. Further details about the trip will be released via email. Should there be incliment or extremely cold weather in the forcast for this event, it will be rescheduled or canceled. If possible it will be rescheduled for the following day, Sunday February 27th.