AusBonsai

So I have been given permission to remove a HEAP of Australian native from my work as they re redeveloping a huge area.. any suggestions for removal and maintenance after the fact... I will end up with a huge Yamadoi collection after this If I can get it to survive ! with some great trunks....any hints on cutting back and how to remove with best success would be appreciated.

Species include:
bottlebrush
Gravillia
Banksia
and some really unique rare species

cheers

Have they been planted or are they wild tree?
Whats the soil like?

Grevillea are very difficult to transplant. Given other options I'd concentrate mostly on other species.
Banksia and Callistemon are all relatively easy to transplant. Neither require extensive roots to survive transplant. Both are normally happy to shoot new buds on old, bare wood so can be cut back hard if necessary.
Other unique, rare species - can't advise if we don't know what these are ??????

I'm sure there will be some members of Vic native bonsai club that will offer to help

Depending on the circumstances, maybe try and wait until it gets warmish - late September/October. Eucs are even better in the heat of summer.
Leptos and Acacias are by all accounts dodgy to dig - if you have too much choice, go for the Mels/Calls as Shibui suggested, also Kunzeas and the like. Not sure about digging Banksias from ground.

Please keep us posted on how the dig goes.

Gavin

GavinG wrote:Depending on the circumstances, maybe try and wait until it gets warmish - late September/October. Eucs are even better in the heat of summer.
Leptos and Acacias are by all accounts dodgy to dig - if you have too much choice, go for the Mels/Calls as Shibui suggested, also Kunzeas and the like. Not sure about digging Banksias from ground.

Please keep us posted on how the dig goes.

Gavin

Don't have much of a choice it has to go in the next 3 weeks or so

Basic rules apply, keep as many feeder roots as possible and plenty of water for a few months or until you see new growth taking off. It might be beneficial to keep them in a water tray (if possible) as they probably wont have the roots to survive a sudden 30+C day.
If the [end up with a huge Yamadori collection after this If I can get it to survive] comment is not an exaggeration, why don't you organise a dig with your bonsai club or even a few mates, as digging heaps of trees and then the obligatory aftercare may be a bit much for one individual to accomplish successfully in the short period of time that you mention.
Hope the dig goes well for you and remember, "photos please"

If you know what the rare things are, can you please upload a list? If you don't, upload some photos so we can try to identify them. There may be some real gems in there and understanding what they are could change the appropriate collection methodology and make the difference between life and death.

It sounds like a development on bushland so keep in mind there may be small terrestrial orchids or other interesting plants that could be used for accent plants too.

First try of 3 dug today. No idea what it is. It has heaps of dead wood. Root system was very superficial on the surface of the ground and quite sparse. Thinned it back to help it out.. hopefully it liked that!

2nd tree was a Grevillea. Not sure if this one will survive as I had to be quite harsh on the roots considering its location in the rock garden at work.

3rd one for today is one of 3 I am contemplating on removing.. this was a small one the others are 4xBIGGER.. but great specimens.. would need a specialised pot tho..will be great carving projects.. Couldn't help myself and started to care this one cause I don't mind if I LOSE IT.. I WAS SOOO FUN TO CARVE AGAIN!

I also have about 20 of these to remove if I like..some have amazing bases! Cant remember what they are called.. but apparently they can live to over 120 years. Think it is a proteaceae. Nepean Cone Bush
http://www.redbubble.com/people/spirito ... -cone-bush

Will be interesting to see If I can bonsai them.

Nice work mate!

Is the wife as happy about all the new trees as you are?

Jarad wrote:Nice work mate!

Is the wife as happy about all the new trees as you are?

She dent mind too much just as long as I clean up after!..been a bit slow on that over the last few weeks!

If anyone local is interested they are welcome to come dig or scope out the remaining trees!