AusBonsai

I have a 20 year old buxus hedge that I'm considering digging up. What do you all think I should be doing to prepare it for a Spring dig?

It's in very poor, heavy thin soil, with, (I suspect,) most of the roots heading under a concrete pathway.

Should I be slicing a spade along the edge of the pathway to get some closer feeding roots happening? If I do that, should I give it another year and do some slicing elsewhere during the growing season?

Any suggestions that I probably haven't thought of?

The hedge is around 600mm high... and there are around 8 trees in it, so it's not a massive project, but I would like to save as many as possible!

Then I'll plant some Melaleuca linariifolia there instead.

I'd be avoiding slicing the roots mate. If you consider the stress you'll be putting the trees through - severing roots would be pretty heavy going. I'd be watering heavily in the weeks leading up to loosen the soil and then digging a trench as deep as you can and hopefully they come up easily. Do you have a time limit on how long you have to remove them? Can you avoid doing them all at once?

Post by Daluke » less than a minute ago

I'd be avoiding slicing the roots mate. If you consider the stress you'll be putting the trees through - severing roots would be pretty heavy going. I'd be watering heavily in the weeks leading up to loosen the soil and then digging a trench as deep as you can and hopefully they come up easily. Do you have a time limit on how long you have to remove them? Can you avoid doing them all at once?

There's absolutely no time limit, I was just thinking I'd get them all up around the same time, it can happen over multiple days though.

I was only going to slice one side only now, then loosen up the soil with water when it's time to lift them. They're growing on the North side of the house, so even through Winter it's very warm during the day. I'd have thought they'd be able to grown some feeder roots during the time between now and Spring/Summer?

Buxus are quite tough. We sourced them in the nursery as bare root stock and sold them in late Winter. If I were doing the removal I would dig them out late Winter and plant into a training pot.

Regards

Roger

Buxus are quite tough. We sourced them in the nursery as bare root stock and sold them in late Winter. If I were doing the removal I would dig them out late Winter and plant into a training pot.

Wow, bare root stock!?!?!?! That surprises me!

Thanks Roger!

And thanks Daluke too. I'm gathering all this intel and hopefully will manage to get some nice stock for bonsai.

I'm certainly hoping they're tough!

Just rip them out
Ok maybe not. I dug 9 (I think it was) in the middle of summer on a stinking hot day. 8 survived, aftercare is more important IMHO. I would dig late winter/early spring when you see the first new leaf starting to expand. Soak them in seasol for a day or two then pot up into a training pot/foam box. Water with seasol regularly and foliar spray every day for a week or two. Cut back your foliage when you dig but not too much. Try and get a reasonable rootball but they are pretty tough.
Here is a link to the ones I collected. viewtopic.php?f=9&t=14096&hilit=+buxus

Goodluck and let us know how you go
Josh

Just rip them out

hehe, yeah, that's what I was going to do! Thanks for the link!

I think, as you say, it's all about after-care.

Thanks Josh, another good point I need to remember.

viewtopic.php?f=145&t=9379&p=100828&hil ... in#p100828

Hi Mel, here is a little more info for you. I would be very surprised if they died on you. I picked these guys up from the tip and they had been lying around for a few days.

I picked these guys up from the tip and they had been lying around for a few days

Wow, you guys are making me wonder why I don't see more English Box bonsais in these pages! Thanks for the link bodhi!

I have to say though, looking at all the photos, I suspect that mine is a different buxus. Mine has rounder leaves... I'm hoping that it will be as tough!

Could be Japanese box (Japonica) and, yes, just as tough.

Could be Japanese box (Japonica) and, yes, just as tough

Yes I think it is Japanese Box. Thanks Bodhi! I sure hope so!

I'm impressed with what I've seen from everyone else's examples so far!

Cheers

Here are two of the hedge trees I dug up....you were all correct, they are VERY tough!

Banging out some quality here Mel. The stands, the accents, the composition, the photos themselves ..... oh, and the trees! Both trees are really pleasing; really pleasing. In fact, I am going to make myself a cup of coffee and come back for a second look!


Bonsai teaches me patience.
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Yep, I agree with Mark. The set up in the first photo is very good.
Very pleased that the dig was successful and we hope to see many more of your success.

Thanks Mark and Watto. They've been a challenge, and only now am I starting to cut some of them shorter to get better proportions. They all survived the dig, but one, so I'm happy!