
Love your stock ant. I have dug 3, mid summer no problems and 2 I let settle in the pots and trunk chopped, one is thriving with new branches and leader the other still going but not happy with outcome.
I live in the Latrobe Valley which is surrounded by them, I went for a drive the other day and came across some that have been through hell.
I will take some pics before I dig to be sure that they will make good bonsai for sure for sure, Like yours Ant some have natural shari.
PS Mid summer, what Summer!