Camden dig

[Isitangus]

Morning all, I'm a newbie bonsaist in the Camden, was wondering if it was worth organising a dig somewhere out this way? Keen to hear if people are interested or have suggestions for locations.
Cheers

[golgotha]

Hi, i'm also a beginner to the world of bonsai and would be interested in getting together with ppl in the local area. I'm from st helens park. By dig do u mean searching for subjects in the wild to dig up?

[chipper5]

Hi Guys,

I've been on 2 digs around your way- both for olives which are abundant in your area! They collect well and have a really high success rate for survival. Just a few things to consider though- if you're digging on someones property obviously need the landowners permission to do so first and if you dig from the roadside or council land you need to get council permission. Winter is the best time to dig as you're less likely to encounter snakes, but still beware and wear appropriate clothing/footwear. But most people are happy for anyone to dig olives as they are a terrible pest- but can make awesome bonsai!

Happy hunting! Chipper5

[Craig]

Guys/Gals, it's great to see that your keen to dig trees and get some good stock but imo when new to bonsai you should not even be worried about digging trees from the wild. You are not ready to handle/ care for trees which will need the correct after care and treatment for re-establishing as trainers. Not having a go at you but your time would be Far wiser spent LEARNING about Bonsai first before delving into the abiss..

[Olivecrazy]

Howdy guys/gals if you are going to dig olives check this site out it will show how brutal you can be also have seasol to use an dont over water ,they tend to shoot better placed in full sun for me im in SA. So pack your digging tools ( handsaw, loppers,shovels CHAINSAWS etc) an go get some i love the things .

http://www.dugzbonsai.com/olivehead.htm

Now the other side of the story its not easy working with collected material as most times there are many faults with the tree also you may end up collecting alot that a few yrs down the road consider an poor material an not use.

Guys/Gals, it's great to see that your keen to dig trees and get some good stock but imo when new to bonsai you should not even be worried about digging trees from the wild. You are not ready to handle/ care for trees which will need the correct after care and treatment for re-establishing as trainers. Not having a go at you but your time would be Far wiser spent LEARNING about Bonsai first before delving into the abiss..

Hi Craig i agree with what you have said here but will all so add this since they are keen to collect some trees.

I say go rip them olives out they will take 1yr to recover an grow strong again . While you are are waiting go grab some plant stock from nurseries practice wiring , join a local bonsai club heaps etc. On this site there is heaps of information every where all you have to do is ask so go out there an have some fun i no i do my yard is getting really full now but will not stop me from getting another tomorrow on the way home just have to sneak it pass the wife

[matlea]

.... man you definitely live up to your name! But If I had the space and time I'd probably be doing the same! I did get an olive the other week hope it survives!!

[Craig]

Hi Craig i agree with what you have said here but will all so add this since they are keen to collect some trees.

I say go rip them olives out they will take 1yr to recover an grow strong again . While you are are waiting go grab some plant stock from nurseries practice wiring , join a local bonsai club heaps etc. On this site there is heaps of information every where all you have to do is ask so go out there an have some fun i no i do my yard is getting really full now but will not stop me from getting another tomorrow on the way home just have to sneak it pass the wife

OC, mate don't take this to heart but the hardest thing about collecting trees from the wild is ; actually finding a tree worthy of being transformed into a bonsai. A "newbie" would have very little idea on what to look for in a wild tree, a person like myself with a little more practise under my belt has a hard enough job, it's not easy. Most people as you say "rip" them out whichever way they come out, have no idea on what they're even collecting and more to the point wouldn't know how to go about keeping it alive.

I have only been doing Bonsai for 10 yrs now so alot to learn still, i have learnt the hard way how to dig trees and am only now starting to collect trees worthy of collection. This is why i say learn first dig later (plenty of time) If i may use your olives as examples, alot of them have no real future as bonsai so should most likely of not been dug up (i know we all get caught up in the moment), Hence the need for beginners to LEARN before digging trees.


to each his own,

[golgotha]

Advice taken craig, although i am still keen to get together with ppl in the area to help me "learn" (of which there is much to , i'm sure).
Though i must say after purchasing my first tree, i can't stop wanting to know more. I have a feeling that what is currently an interest will develop into a passion.

[matlea]

Good advice Craig. Trees that aren't ideal will take ages to produce anything worthwhile. Better to know what to look for before you dig. On the positive side is digging a test plant to learn on so that when you do find a good specimen you have more experience. And yes learn! In my profession of architecture you never stop learning, bonsai is the same!

[Olivecrazy]

Hi Craig i agree with what you have said here but will all so add this since they are keen to collect some trees.

I say go rip them olives out they will take 1yr to recover an grow strong again . While you are are waiting go grab some plant stock from nurseries practice wiring , join a local bonsai club heaps etc. On this site there is heaps of information every where all you have to do is ask so go out there an have some fun i no i do my yard is getting really full now but will not stop me from getting another tomorrow on the way home just have to sneak it pass the wife

OC, mate don't take this to heart but the hardest thing about collecting trees from the wild is ; actually finding a tree worthy of being transformed into a bonsai. A "newbie" would have very little idea on what to look for in a wild tree, a person like myself with a little more practise under my belt has a hard enough job, it's not easy. Most people as you say "rip" them out whichever way they come out, have no idea on what they're even collecting and more to the point wouldn't know how to go about keeping it alive.

I have only been doing Bonsai for 10 yrs now so alot to learn still, i have learnt the hard way how to dig trees and am only now starting to collect trees worthy of collection. This is why i say learn first dig later (plenty of time) If i may use your olives as examples, alot of them have no real future as bonsai so should most likely of not been dug up (i know we all get caught up in the moment), Hence the need for beginners to LEARN before digging trees.


to each his own,

( alot of them have no real future as bonsai so should most likely of not been dug up)

[Craig]

Good advice Craig. Trees that aren't ideal will take ages to produce anything worthwhile. Better to know what to look for before you dig. On the positive side is digging a test plant to learn on so that when you do find a good specimen you have more experience. And yes learn! In my profession of architecture you never stop learning, bonsai is the same!

Exactly, thankyou,

[Olivecrazy]

Good advice Craig. Trees that aren't ideal will take ages to produce anything worthwhile. Better to know what to look for before you dig. On the positive side is digging a test plant to learn on so that when you do find a good specimen you have more experience. And yes learn! In my profession of architecture you never stop learning, bonsai is the same!

Exactly, thankyou,

Hi Craig it would be great to see some pictures of trees that are worthy of collection that you have dug so it can point these new people an myself in the right direction, im all ways interested in what can be found in the wild.

[Craig]

Now thats funny.

You want to look for trees that backbud freely , trees that backbud randomly are also ok but harder to work with. You want low branches and shoots especially on trees which do not redily backbud.A tree which doesn't back bud can be virtually useless to build a new tree. A aged trunk which has aged bark, maybe some deadwood and has some type of movement and taper within a height/distance useable to make a new tree.A trunk shape which will form a pleasing image. Preferably some nice solid roots or nebari, which usually give the tree the look we want and provide energy for recovery.


viewtopic.php?f=104&t=8637&hilit=+bracteata#p94806




But you going off track mate,

I'm saying newer people shouldn't worry about digging.the end.

[kcpoole]

Hi Olive
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=11636
See this thread of mine the other day on the samples I have found. These are only Trainers and test trees so are no where near the best subjects. the Cotoneaster and Kunzea are real nice tho

The Main points to look for before collecting is

Nice Nebari - The better it is when collecting the better the finished tree will be. A large ugly root can detroy a trees look and may never be able to be repaired.

Low Movement or interest - A bean pole straight tree is usually Not good, It will take years to grow anyy taper or interest. Look for low branches to cut back to, Hollow sections or other interesting features.
Maybe multiple trunks can give a nice clump style ( Azaleas particularly.)

Low branching - If you collected a tree with no branches and it was 6 inches thick then it will take years to grow decent looking branches.

Other considerations
Does the species back bud? Does it cope with the harsh treatment of collection and being cut back hard? Can it be barerooted? Are you allowed to collect? Native or introduced? virgin Bush or private propertly

Seek out the interesting trees to collect before you take them and you will ensure they will become nice in a few years. Take the boring useless ones and you may waste your time at worst, or wast years trying to make a decent tree out of a pig.

Keep on the lookout for Council roadworks, house demolishions, Garden renovations and if you see anything then ask the questions. If you can, Prepare the tree and you materials first and wait until you can collect at the optimum time of year. Sometimes you cannot, but then you have to be especially vigilant.

Happy hunting, but remember it is not a rush.
Ken

Some other threads that show dig results worthwhile
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=9380&p=100907&hilit ... ig#p100907
This one of the Goulbourn Dig last year. viewtopic.php?f=25&t=8329&" (check the photos on page 3)

[Handy Mick]

I say go dig guys, but look for olives, privets, fire thorn, etc. These plants are classified noxious weeds and make excellent bonsai material. If you are keen, then go for your life, join the Campbelltown bonsai club and in a couple of years after you "learn" that you dug some undesirable material now get rid of them then.

Mick