Quote:
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Originally Posted by FlyBri
I don't usually advocate or condone the collection of Eucalypts, for a number of reasons: the protected status of all Oz native plants, the questionable survival rate from collection, and the relative availability of decent nursery stock which is already accustomed to potted culture. However...
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...I'm one who rarely deals in absolutes, especially if breaking my own rules means I might get my hands on some really nice material.
Please find attached some photos of an unidentified Eucalyptus specimen that I have admired for a number of years. I would often pass by this fat little trunk while walking the dog, and it was my guess that the tree was continually cut back (effectively trunk-chopped) because of its proximity to the brick fence and the adjacent footpath. When I pointed it out to her, The Good Lady just rolled her eyes and told me that the owners of the property would never give me permission to dig this little tree up. My dog was also nonplussed. About 3 weeks ago, I plucked up the courage to write a note to the property owner, inquiring about the status of the tree:
Quote:
21/06/2007
To the owner/resident:
My name is Brian, and I am a local Bonsai enthusiast who specializes in Eucalyptus species. I often walk my dog past your house, and I have noticed the small Eucalyptus stump inside your brick fence, near the Oleander (?). Excuse me if I am wrong, but it appears that this tree is unwanted in your yard, judging by the fact that it is constantly cut back. (While I love Eucalyptus species wherever they appear, I would thoroughly understand your not wanting such a potentially large and vigorous tree growing at the base of your brick fence.)
If I am correct, and you do not want that Eucalypt to remain in its current position, I would gladly dig it up and take it off your hands as a potential Bonsai specimen. In return, I would gladly replace it with a plant of your choosing.
Anyway, I would be grateful if you were to contact me before taking any drastic action with regards to this (apparently) unwanted little tree.
Thanks in advance,
Brian [full name withheld here so that I can be a nuisance on Bonsai Forums without fear of reprisal.]
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Less than a week later, the lady who owns the property in question called me on my mobile to say that she was happy to be rid of the tree/stump. The next Saturday, I took a handful of digging/pruning tools down to her house, introduced myself, and engaged in some banter. As I had suspected, her concern for the well-being of the brick fence was among the reasons she allowed me to dig - another was the fact that the local council had recently given her notice regarding trees/shrubs overhanging the footpath. As you might be able to see in the photos, the little stump was quite difficult to get to on her side, so I was effectively doing her a favour by removing the thing - no more hands-and-knees pruning for her.
Anyway, on to the pics (apologies for the quality, but you get the idea):
Pic 1: This is the view I had when I first noticed this little potential tree a couple of years ago. Note the proximity to the old brick fence.
Pics 2 & 3: A couple of shots from inside the yard - the nearby Oleander made framing almost impossible.
Pics 4 & 5: What I ended up with after an hour on my hands and knees: a brilliant trunk and no roots... Without digging machinery - and massive damage to the fence and yard - I could not have reasonably gotten much more in the way of roots.
The red lines show the approximate original soil level. At this point, the biggest achievement of this dig is that I didn't loosen any of the brickwork - maybe the stump will be good for Tanuki?
BTW - the thing is almost exactly 600mm (2') from top to taproot.
More to follow...