Methods for collecting trees
Posted: July 25th, 2014, 12:14 am
I had a look and couldn't see a thread with specific details of collecting. Often a newbie asks for info on collecting so thought it would be good to have peoples thoughts in one thread they could look through for ideas on how to collect a tree. This will not cover when to collect as every tree and climate is different. This will just cover the methods people use to collect trees and aftercare. This is by no means the complete list for collecting as I'm sure many will have their own methods and ideas, this is what works for me.
Firstly what I take to a dig.
1. Shovel
2. Maddock
3. Corbar with blade
4. 20 ltr water container
5. 2ltr spray bottle
6. Seasol
7. Saw
8. Secateurs
9. Long handled loppers
10. Ropes
11. Large sheets to tie root ball up in
The first thing I do when digging a tree is remove any unwanted branches. Reduce it to a manageable size. Remember you can't put a branch back on but you can remove more later if needed so be selective but careful. Remember after you dig it and see the nebari the front might not be where you thought.
Then I trench around the base of the tree. How far out depends on the tree and the roots it has along with the age/size. The bigger the tree the further out you have to dig. Generally it is around 1-2 feet from the base of the trunk. If the trunk has good nebari you may want to dig further out so not to damage the nebari. Always dig further out than you need to so you can prune the damaged roots back to a clean cut (do this to all roots). How I dig
I trench around the tree with a maddock usually. I clean all loose dirt out of the trench so I can have a look and see what fibrous roots are in the top section. If there are no fibrous roots I might dig a little deeper or cut in on a deeper angle with the crowbar. Once I have the trench dug I use my crowbar with the blade to ram down on an angle under the tree. I used to have to dig out under the tree which I think is the hardest part. Now I use the bladed crowbar to ram down through the soil and it cuts the roots as it goes. I do this all the way around the tree. If I hit a really big root I might dig that spot only but usually the crowbar will cut most roots. In the case of the peppercorns I used the crowbar to cut the taproot and lift the tree without digging down to deep at all.
Once I have gone all around the tree I use the crowbar to lever the tree up and out. If it's still won't move I may tie the tree to my car or another tree and put some tension on it to help pull it out. I stress though I rarely use the rope to simply pull the tree out as you risk splitting the roots and damaging the tree. I use the tension on the rope with the leverage of the crowbar to help move the tree together.
Once out I remove excess soil. This will depend on the tree and time of collection as to how much to remove. I generally leave as much on as I can to help keep the roots moist till I get home. I then spray all the roots, foliage and trunk with seasol. I should mention I mix this up before digging so as soon as I'm ready I can spray it.
I then wrap the root ball in a sheet to protect the roots and keep them moist.I usually spray the sheet with seasol before wrapping the tree up. If I have a long drive I may stop and respray foliage and/or roots along the way. Looks funny pulling into a servo with the car full of trees and just spraying seasol into the car. The looks I get
Once I'm home I finish cleaning up the root ball, removing excess soil and prune all damaged roots back to where I want them. How much you remove depends on the tree. I try to remove any/all downward facing roots as you don't want them and this allows the tree to go into a shallower pot/box and encourage the roots to grow out.
Once cleaned up they go into a bath of seasol to soak at least overnight. I have baths in my back yard for this but you could make up a batch and put in a tub/bucket. Just make sure all roots are covered. I also spray the foliage again at this point.
I then pot the trees up into there grow/recovery pots/boxes. These usually have a little bit of room around the roots but are usually shallow and wide rather than deep. I water the tree to soak the soil then water again with seasol. I mist the foliage again. I then water with seasol every 2-4 days and mist the foliage regularly.
I then go and wash all my tools ready for the next dig. Keep all your tools sharp, it makes a difference. Always clean up the dig site, don't leave big holes.
Here are some trees I have collected using this method or similar This is a link to a tree I collected a while back viewtopic.php?f=9&t=17111&hilit=+juniper
Unfortunately this tree didn't make it. I don't think it was anything did wrong, just that fact the day of collection and the following week was high 40's with no break and the tree just couldn't handle it.
Some points when digging.
I would remove more roots from deciduous trees than evergreens.
Some trees like buxus must have leaves to grow so don't prune to hard.
Deciduous trees can handle trunk chopping and digging no worries.
Remember, you can't put roots or branches back on so take more than you need and clean up later.
I don't seal any cuts on roots, except japanese maples.
Always clean up any damaged roots. Nice clean cuts. This helps with regrowth of roots and helps stop decease.
DO NOT let the roots dry out.
Aftercare is as important or more important than collecting. Have everything ready, potting mix, grow boxes/pots, seasol etc.
When your partner asks "when did you get that" just
and say "oh, that old thing, I've had that for ages" and it should be 
Hope this helps those that haven't collected before and if anyone wants to add their own methods, ideas, opinions feel free to add to this or if you disagree feel free to suggest other options/methods (no I don't class pulling it out with a winch or bobcat as methods
)
Josh
Firstly what I take to a dig.
1. Shovel
2. Maddock
3. Corbar with blade
4. 20 ltr water container
5. 2ltr spray bottle
6. Seasol
7. Saw
8. Secateurs
9. Long handled loppers
10. Ropes
11. Large sheets to tie root ball up in
The first thing I do when digging a tree is remove any unwanted branches. Reduce it to a manageable size. Remember you can't put a branch back on but you can remove more later if needed so be selective but careful. Remember after you dig it and see the nebari the front might not be where you thought.
Then I trench around the base of the tree. How far out depends on the tree and the roots it has along with the age/size. The bigger the tree the further out you have to dig. Generally it is around 1-2 feet from the base of the trunk. If the trunk has good nebari you may want to dig further out so not to damage the nebari. Always dig further out than you need to so you can prune the damaged roots back to a clean cut (do this to all roots). How I dig
I trench around the tree with a maddock usually. I clean all loose dirt out of the trench so I can have a look and see what fibrous roots are in the top section. If there are no fibrous roots I might dig a little deeper or cut in on a deeper angle with the crowbar. Once I have the trench dug I use my crowbar with the blade to ram down on an angle under the tree. I used to have to dig out under the tree which I think is the hardest part. Now I use the bladed crowbar to ram down through the soil and it cuts the roots as it goes. I do this all the way around the tree. If I hit a really big root I might dig that spot only but usually the crowbar will cut most roots. In the case of the peppercorns I used the crowbar to cut the taproot and lift the tree without digging down to deep at all.
Once I have gone all around the tree I use the crowbar to lever the tree up and out. If it's still won't move I may tie the tree to my car or another tree and put some tension on it to help pull it out. I stress though I rarely use the rope to simply pull the tree out as you risk splitting the roots and damaging the tree. I use the tension on the rope with the leverage of the crowbar to help move the tree together.
Once out I remove excess soil. This will depend on the tree and time of collection as to how much to remove. I generally leave as much on as I can to help keep the roots moist till I get home. I then spray all the roots, foliage and trunk with seasol. I should mention I mix this up before digging so as soon as I'm ready I can spray it.
I then wrap the root ball in a sheet to protect the roots and keep them moist.I usually spray the sheet with seasol before wrapping the tree up. If I have a long drive I may stop and respray foliage and/or roots along the way. Looks funny pulling into a servo with the car full of trees and just spraying seasol into the car. The looks I get
Once I'm home I finish cleaning up the root ball, removing excess soil and prune all damaged roots back to where I want them. How much you remove depends on the tree. I try to remove any/all downward facing roots as you don't want them and this allows the tree to go into a shallower pot/box and encourage the roots to grow out.
Once cleaned up they go into a bath of seasol to soak at least overnight. I have baths in my back yard for this but you could make up a batch and put in a tub/bucket. Just make sure all roots are covered. I also spray the foliage again at this point.
I then pot the trees up into there grow/recovery pots/boxes. These usually have a little bit of room around the roots but are usually shallow and wide rather than deep. I water the tree to soak the soil then water again with seasol. I mist the foliage again. I then water with seasol every 2-4 days and mist the foliage regularly.
I then go and wash all my tools ready for the next dig. Keep all your tools sharp, it makes a difference. Always clean up the dig site, don't leave big holes.
Here are some trees I have collected using this method or similar This is a link to a tree I collected a while back viewtopic.php?f=9&t=17111&hilit=+juniper
Unfortunately this tree didn't make it. I don't think it was anything did wrong, just that fact the day of collection and the following week was high 40's with no break and the tree just couldn't handle it.
Some points when digging.
I would remove more roots from deciduous trees than evergreens.
Some trees like buxus must have leaves to grow so don't prune to hard.
Deciduous trees can handle trunk chopping and digging no worries.
Remember, you can't put roots or branches back on so take more than you need and clean up later.
I don't seal any cuts on roots, except japanese maples.
Always clean up any damaged roots. Nice clean cuts. This helps with regrowth of roots and helps stop decease.
DO NOT let the roots dry out.
Aftercare is as important or more important than collecting. Have everything ready, potting mix, grow boxes/pots, seasol etc.
When your partner asks "when did you get that" just
and say "oh, that old thing, I've had that for ages" and it should be Hope this helps those that haven't collected before and if anyone wants to add their own methods, ideas, opinions feel free to add to this or if you disagree feel free to suggest other options/methods (no I don't class pulling it out with a winch or bobcat as methods
)Josh
