AusBonsai

Hey guys, just wanted to obtain some advice in regards to extracting a heavily pruned and established Ash Tree i've discovered near a railway line. It would make amazing bonsai and am considering removing it. I have removed Olive trees (Olea europea) in the past by simply cutting through the base and applying a root promoter, and have never had an issue, especially with Olives being extremely tough! I just wanted to know if this extraction method would be possible for this Ash Tree? I know they're extremely tough, but would hate to jeopardise the survival of this tree.

Any info would be much appreciated, thanks!

Ash and Olives are similar. Getting some roots would help. Now could be a good time to do the if it's starting to bud. There l might be some articles if you search.

Must get roots and do it before bud burst.

grant

Hey Grant do you think I got enough roots with this ash I dug today. I currently have it sitting in a solution of ryzotonic (hydroponic root nutrient and seasol) letting it sit over night and will pot up tomorrow in a 50/50 Diatomite/Pine bark with some SM

The bad of the trunk would be approximately 2 - 2 1/2 inches and the tap root was just pain to get out...had no saw so used the pick to sever it and cleaned it up once I got home.

Only thing I am a little concerned about would be if the roots dried out to much on the way home. They were exposed and only had a towel covering them.

Time will tell.

looks good to me, ive root pruned ash far more severely than that and had plenty of growth the same year.
My experience has been the usual seasol etc... for now and as soon as bud extension starts start fertilising often and well and they will reward you with more growth than you know how to control.

H

I done chainsawed me a big Ash a coupla months ago, ground level, no roots, will let you know if it survives.

Also planted trunk chop pieces before and they grew, about 80mm thick they were.

I think it will be ok but cut the trunk down even more. Its still a bit too straight. Then select a new leader, remove everything else and let it grow for 2 years. Cut that back short too and let's go!

Advice heard and taken treeman.

here are the before and after shots. Potted up in 50/50 Diatomite/pine bark all sizes 2-6mm