collecting yamadori in a really dry place, need help

[purelyd]

I need some advice in collecting an Australian native. normally I dont like natives at all but this one is very nice in size and flows and very attractive with deadwood, the only problem is its in the side of the mountain, and i live in a dry part of Australia. Mount isa. I want advice on how to collect. I can see major roof through rock and could get rock apart but how to take it without upsetting it to much. please help

[bonsaibruce]

Greetings, good luck. This little baby will be very old and the root will go all the way down to sandy river below. There will be very little root near the base of the trunk. Look for trees in the river bed and there may be some loose ones after the rain.
If you know X-ray Rodger say hi from Bruce.
Happy bonsai.

[tgward]

If you have to ask how to do it, it will most probably die-----attempt easier digs first ,to get some experience---that plant will still be there in a couple of years time----good luck

[dansai]

Like Bruce says, it's unlikely to have roots near the trunk and will far more than likely die. Leave it.

Also, if it's on public land it is illegal to dig without permission and permits.

[kcpoole]

I would say impossible to collect and have survive.

Very few of our natives will survive collection and without knowing what it is and how it copes with smaller younger stock stock first then the chances are very slim indeed.

Ken

[GavinG]

Agreed. It will almost certainly die. The best chance is for natives in creek beds or swamps - dry land stuff usually has no surface root.

Don't collect on public land, get permission on private land, and don't destroy river banks by digging trees that hold the soil in place. Be respectful. Leptospermum and Acacias are very unlikely to survive digging under any circumstances. Mel's. and Calls. and some Eucs have a better chance.

Easiest is to start with locally available tube stock - slower but better in the long run.

Gavin

[Mick B]

Leave it alone. IMPOSSIBLE Please do not kill it.