AusBonsai

These have been monitored for quite a few years .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 ,We hooked in and had it out in just over 30 minutes collecting as much of the roots as possible .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 . This has 5 shoots , the most upper will be removed when i choose to reduce the trunk height down to the new leader . 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

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

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 .

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.

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