AusBonsai

Has anyone ever approached a neighbour or anyone and asked them for permission. To dig a tree in there yard . I always see great garden potential in peoples yards. And was wondering what people think about this . I don't want to rude or scare anyone . Lol. So is it ok to ask or is it not ? I would offer 50 to 100 dollars depending on how much I thought the tree was worth to me .

I've done it a couple of times, they usually don't mind, I prefer to leave a letter in the mailbox asking so they don't feel pressured to come up with an answer on the spot

I have asked quite a few people if I can dig trees from their yards. Got some great trees that way. Whats the worst the can say....no. As long as your not offended by them saying no to you then no problems. I usually say to them that i'll replace it with another younger tree or give them some a few bucks. Usually its a wierd look that I get from them, as in 'why do you want the tree?'!!
Clean up the mess and usually no dramas.
Andrew

Or just steal it...




































Kidding.

My fiance thinks im a tree offender because im always peering into strangers gardens. Im yet to find a way of asking someone to part with a garden shrub without feeling weird about it.

Yep Dug a nice juniper a few months ago from a Neighbour that was ripping up the gardens

Ken

I would take a deep breath, rehearse a couple times and ask. I also have a band of family/friends always on the look out for interesting trunks. It is hard to look at a garden and not just see trunks/ potential bonsai. The other option is to ask to air layer, most peolpe are so intrigued. A box of chocolates does say thanks nicely. Good luck.

I'm always asking people, an idea tho, is to have tools and as soon as they say yes, get to.. clean up after yourself, give a gift of another plant (check what they would like, and rememeber you might be digging that up in a few years, so some thought is good)... maintain a friendship with the people if you pass thier houses, I always stop for a chat...

There's nothing wrong with asking. Approach nicely and tell them what you intend to do with it. Don't forget to tell them that there are a lot of bonsai nuts out there. They'll think you're "weird" and usually no problem. I replace with another tree to their liking. Good luck! Many a nice tree has been started this way.

I know of someone whom got permission from a homeowner to dig up a old gnarly bottlebrush.
He gave the residents some replacement trees and a bottle of wine thinking this was a good score.
Halfway thru the dig....he severed a buried telstra cable, the tree and ensuing repair of the service ended up costing him nearly $3000.
Lesson learnt, always check for underground services first.

A footnote.....the tree died about 4 months down the track.

I wont mention names Tony

banksiaman wrote:I know of someone whom got permission from a homeowner to dig up a old gnarly bottlebrush.
He gave the residents some replacement trees and a bottle of wine thinking this was a good score.
Halfway thru the dig....he severed a buried telstra cable, the tree and ensuing repair of the service ended up costing him nearly $3000.
Lesson learnt, always check for underground services first.

A footnote.....the tree died about 4 months down the track.

I wont mention names Tony

banksiaman wrote:I know of someone whom got permission from a homeowner to dig up a old gnarly bottlebrush.
He gave the residents some replacement trees and a bottle of wine thinking this was a good score.
Halfway thru the dig....he severed a buried telstra cable, the tree and ensuing repair of the service ended up costing him nearly $3000.
Lesson learnt, always check for underground services first.

A footnote.....the tree died about 4 months down the track.

I wont mention names Tony

I once got permission to dig a couple of old trees from a friends yard, I not only dug up the phone line but also the storm water drainpipe... Repaired the pipe & claimed the tree had damaged the phone line "thats why we dug it out", think I got off lucky compared to the unnamed

haven't you guys heard of ringing 1100!!

They couldn't, it was too late for that

Andrew E wrote:haven't you guys heard of ringing 1100!!

Brrrring brrrring '1100 Dial before you dig'

"What is he going to do with that giant hawthorn?"