Quince is tough. I'd collect after flowering. I'd bet you could dig it up all at once. I wouldn't bother trying to collect a huge rootball. I'd reduce the top at the same time.

Hey, Mark. Not to answer my own question, but I had sent Brent at Evergreen an email about this, and he responded to me just now. Basically, the same thing you posted, except he said the stuff is so indestructible that I could get it now, and to be ready with the truck and a length of chain. They are calling for lows in the upper 20's and snow here this weekend (in 1-2, out 1-2, in 1-2, out 1-2) and I'll wait til that's over. That'll take care of the flowering, too. Thanks for the reply, it's good to hear from you again.

Greg Simmons

Man it seems all the best stuff to collect is at either end of the country or in the mountains! Anybody know of stuff that tough and desirable in MO/KS? lol

Chris

Chris,

Come on over! I taught at SMSU in Springfield in the middle 90's. You're right, it seems that since I've moved to the mountains of western NC that the collecting is a bit better. I guess your area is not called the 'great plains' for nothing. Since moving to NC (I have family here) I have access to all the great eastern deciduous material that grows natively here, as well as the hemlocks that thrive in the mtns. It also seems a lot of the 'old homesteads' in this area have these great mature landscape plants. Since I teach at a local university, I always take note when a new faculty member buys an old house; I'm am usually the helpful guy who shows up in the spring to suggest "You know, if you ripped that old shrub outta there, you'd have a great spot for your kid's swingset. I got a chain in the truck..."

Anyway, if you're ever out this way, we'll have to get together.

Regards,

Greg