Evergreen Removal

Skywriting

I have a evergreen growing between the reparap and the lake bank. It seemsvery dry and brittle. We have not had rain in sometime and are in the midst of a partial drougth. When and how would be best for removal of this plant. It is the type that has very small spines. I think thats what there call. If not correct me. Any help would be greatly appreciated. If the plant is lost in the trying it wouldn't be a problem since the property owner planed on removal and destroying it. Guess you could call it a rescue attempt.

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Graydon

We're going to need a photo to help identify the plant - or at least a much better description. Once the plant has been identified someone should have some experience in digging them for bonsai.

Without any knowledge about what you have I would say now is not the best time. Perhaps late winter as spring approaches. That way it would have less time in a container before it starts growing again.

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Skywriting

Hope its larger

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Graydon

Looks to be some type of juniper. Unless it has some great trunk features it does not look like a great bonsai candidate. I am not trying to discourage you from digging, just don't want to give you great expectations on not so good stock. You could have just as nice a plant from a garden center.

That being said - go for it. You have to learn somewhere. If you dig it now you really need to get as much of an intact root ball as you can. Be prepared with various sizes of pots and some free draining soil. Do not use the soil you dig from around it - it needs to be coarse and fast draining. Perhaps a good brand of garden soil and pearlite mixed 50/50. Water sparingly once collected by letting the soil dry down so the top 1/3 is dry before watering again. You do this because many of the roots that take up water have been damaged and are missing - too wet and the roots will rot = dead plant. When you do water drench it until it runs freely from the holes in the pot. No fertilizer for a few months (or spring if you have a winter). No cutting the branches yet (some may die back - cut them only when you are sure they are dead - but consider leaving even the dead ones as jin. First let it recover and put on roots. Could take 6 months or so. You can look at it and try to identify what your plans may be to train the tree. Mark branches you plan to cut with ribbon so you don't forget. It's healthy enough for the next step when it starts to put out new growth next year.

Main rule = patience. You can't rush the recovery of a plant or tree.

Good luck digging!

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