AusBonsai

Hi all,

we had a pine dig today on what was the foulest weather day for quite a while. Rain, wind and temperatures probably around 6 degrees celcius.

About 12 hardy souls braved the weather and gave their wet weather gear a work out.

looks like fun, is now a good time for collecting pines or can it be done all winter?

The whole field of pines had been cut back about 3 or 4 years ago and resprouted. Some had been run over by heavy machinery so it was an interesting day. Sizes varied up to about 100mm or 125 mm accross. They virtually all came out bare rooted but we have had success in the past with these trees from this site.

It's great to see the size you are collecting I think I will try some soon too. Do you have any pictures of the collection process, root balls and potted trees?

Edit: I see thanks

How hard can you cut back?
Young or old wood?
How long where they left for?

Asus101 wrote:looks like fun, is now a good time for collecting pines or can it be done all winter?

This is as late in the season that I would like to collect radiata in this fashion in Canberra. We may do another dig late August just before spring.

If you live somewhere milder I would dig all winter as it should put out new roots OK.

If I have a trailer and am still up there on dig day, I might have to join if at all possible.

fantastic grant i look forward to a closer sticky.

Asus101 wrote:How hard can you cut back?
Young or old wood?
How long where they left for?

Sorry, Internet has been impossibly slow tonight.

These were cut back to old wood about 3 or 4 years ago but they were only 3 or 4 years old when it was done.

You could cut down some stray seedlings at the side of the road and come back in a few years time and see how they go.

I will leave as much foliage as I can on mine, secure it to the pot for stability and only lightly trim it for the next 3 years.

Don't rush to work on dug up material as you may kill it.

What great stock to choose from, Grant!

The pointy headed one will be flattered that he dug the prime tree.

If you need assistants in August please let us know and we will drive down to join you.
I'm sure we can fill the 4WD with members of TSB and/or BSA.
Might even come down in convoy?

There is nowhere close to Sydney that I am aware of which would equal your description of the Trees available.

Regards
<](:-))

Grant Bowie wrote:
These were cut back to old wood about 3 or 4 years ago but they were only 3 or 4 years old when it was done.

I know of one in the area, I might cut it back this year.

This all looks like great fun plus some rewarding trees. I am new to this could someone please tell me about the digs and where does one go? Does one have to get council permission or Grant is this your own growing area. I live in the Campbelltown area of NSW and have never seen so many pyracanthas in my life. I would love to collect some but do not want to end up in jail!! Any suggestions from anyone in the know? Love this site as it is so imformative.
Many thanks
Marleeney

Gday Grant & Co!

I was out in the Melbourne weather today, and I can appreciate what you folks went through in order to get these trees (although it looks like fine weather in all the photos ).

I see that all of the trees you guys went for are in the open, and it appears that one can collect decent roots close to the trunk in this situation. What of collecting where a P. radiata has sprung up under the canopy and needle litter of a much older tree? (My thoughts are that it would be very dry beneath an established Pine, and that the roots of a younger tree beneath might spread a very long way.) I have one particular tree in mind locally, and wonder if it is worth a go, if only to sell to the Pinophiles we have around here...

Anyway, looks like you guys had fun, and maybe scored some gems. I look forward to updates.

Thanks.

Fly.

fly if they are young and allowed to grow on for a period they are happy to throw out loads of roots. alternately spade one side this year and collect next year. if they survive and thrive my treatment they are up for it. in your area i might wait to collect late august/ early september.