Pinus Nigra "Nigra"

[alpineart]

These have been monitored for quite a few years .

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they were chopped unsuccessfully about 8 years ago , not by me , I did tip prune them 3-4 years ago and haven't been in the position to collect . Well a visit from Meagi today soon turned the situation around . The hole was around 1.2 in diameter and close to 600mm deep

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,We hooked in and had it out in just over 30 minutes collecting as much of the roots as possible

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.While it was a late cut trunk being 80mm when cut it has grown to 120mm at the base however the roots weren't as good as i have seen . Poor soil/clay didn't help but we did manage to get quite a few good feeder roots . Back home and into a rough made tier pot to protect the roots and give the option to remove each tier over the coming years .

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This has 5 shoots , the most upper will be removed when i choose to reduce the trunk height down to the new leader .

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The top branch has an ugly union and exits at 90 degrees so it wont make for an ideal leader .With a bit of luck it should survive .Many thanks to Meagi for all the help , it looks better in my yard than in the planned new table drain to be installed at the water supply .

Cheers Alpineart

[Meagi]

Hi mate was good to get back to the high country even if it's was a short visit .
Digging this guy was a good lesson ...I'll stick to my elms never will I complain about digging an elm again
These pines are a tough dig ....but you showed the pine who was boss lol .
Cheers

[alpineart]

Hi Meagi , mate it was good to catch up .They require a bit of effort as you well experienced . A 120mm trunk is a big dig not like an Elm , i usually dig 10 times the trunk diameter and hopefully get a hand full of feeder roots . This would have to be the biggest pine or be it thickest trunk Nigra i have tackled . Your assistance made it look easy .

Cheers Alpine .

[Dario]

Well done guys!
Man they look healthy, sure hope they pull through for you.
Hey, who got the first little ripper?
Any post dig picks? I am:mrgreen:
Cheers, Dario.

[alpineart]

Hi Dario , mate we only collected 1 today they others are still in the ground . I'm fit but not that healed yet , notice Meagi is in the pics I'm maning the camera . Looks like the collecting period is all but over , its warm compared to the last few seasons . The others are out of harms way and wont get cleaned up by the machines , might try my luck again , not quite sure .

Cheers Alpine