Digging with morals

[Webos]

Saw a top quality bonsai candidate growing in a public car park traffic island today. Beautiful deadwood features, a trunk that tapers and dances all the way to the tip. Its not a tree that's native to the area, and its not a car park who's tree are maintained. It's owned by the local council.

Question is.. If you saw something perfect for bonsai, could you just drive by and forget? Would you try to get permission to remove and replace?

[Damian Bee]

Can always ask?
Do you know anyone who works for council maintenance?

[Isitangus]

I think a lot of us try to drive by and forget about it, until its too late and council pull it out for redesign or it dies etc. they can only say no.


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[Joel]

If I thought it was worth the work to get permission, dig it out, replace it/pay for it and go through with all the after care for it to become workable stock AND I thought there was a reasonable chance I would actually get permission, I'd try. If I were refused permission I would have to accept that and just admire it when driving past and keep an eye out for development plans on the site or work being done there.

I don't believe there is any other reasonable way to go about it.

Joel

[lackhand]

I agree with the above. I've seen many that I wish I could grab, but the midnight auction is no way to go about it. Never hurts to ask permission though, sometimes they are seen as weeds and they are glad to have you take them away!

[cre8ivbonsai]

If I thought it was worth the work to get permission, dig it out, replace it/pay for it and go through with all the after care for it to become workable stock AND I thought there was a reasonable chance I would actually get permission, I'd try. If I were refused permission I would have to accept that and just admire it when driving past and keep an eye out for development plans on the site or work being done there.

I don't believe there is any other reasonable way to go about it.

Joel

Well put Joel, the offer of a replacement tree, the same as others in the car park, could be the sweetener to get the deal done.

Worth asking.

[Ulf]

It never hurts to ask, but ASK THE RIGHT PERSON -too high in the chain will get an automatic no. Too low in the chain will not be able to give permission. I would find the local garden maintenance crew and talk to the crew boss- not his boss in an office. Usually the maintenance crews can make local decisions regards replacing (ahem) "old tired/ damaged/ sick/ ugly/ unsuitable plants without needing to refer to the chain of command. Get to know the guys and explain your interest and you would often be amazed at how helpful they can be.
and Yes, I work in government. can you tell?

[Sean M]

I had a similar situation at a local petrol station. beautiful tree that was in danger of being destroyed due to its location and the fact the tankers kept destroying the low laying wall that housed it. So I asked if I could remove it and they said no. Then I drove past yesterday. Walls fixed, tree is gone. I guess some people just don't care about nature.

[Ray M]

Hi Webo,

It never hurts to ask, but ASK THE RIGHT PERSON -too high in the chain will get an automatic no. Too low in the chain will not be able to give permission. I would find the local garden maintenance crew and talk to the crew boss- not his boss in an office. Usually the maintenance crews can make local decisions regards replacing (ahem) "old tired/ damaged/ sick/ ugly/ unsuitable plants without needing to refer to the chain of command. Get to know the guys and explain your interest and you would often be amazed at how helpful they can be.
and Yes, I work in government. can you tell?

I agree with Ulf's suggestions. I belong to a Model Railway Society and we rent premises from the local council. We always talk to the garden maintenance crew when we want something done. The only other suggestion would be, to have a couple of photos of some good quality bonsai with you. This could help to give them an idea of what you do.

Regards Ray

[Pup]

Try the centre manager, they are always keen to see their gardens nice and neat. It has worked for me. As all the other have suggested, offer a nice replacment.
Ray also has a good suggestion.

[Jason]

Know exactly what you mean, I've been eyeing one off a tree that is on the verge of death as its been planted on a small island with a massive palm tree that is slowly killing it. I keep hoping I'll see the maintenance guys at their work so I can see if they'd care ... but those buggers get up too early for me to catch them lol

[Rory]

I don't like your chances. Something tells me council have a 'no' attitude, primarily because of OH&S. Lets just say, and I know it sounds ridiculous, but lets just say you get run over or injured during the extraction of the tree. You then might consider suing the council as they gave permission for you to remove it, without a full team of safety specialists there to ensure nothing goes wron. This would be on the back of their worrying minds. Obviously not saying anyone would be that pathetic, but it is why councils face so much red tape.... remember the opportunist who sued a council for diving into the beach onto a sandbank because there wasn't a sign stating this.

[lackhand]

I know some collectors here that have a liability release at the ready for just those reasons. Some private landowners have the same concern, at least here in the US.

[Qitianlong]

Wire, trim and style it in situ.

[Sean M]

Wire, trim and style it in situ.

I might just start doing this to stuff I see at the local shops! At least I wont have to pay for the watering!