Help with I.D

[tommytwotoes]

Hi all,
I have been eyeing off a tree for yamadori, but, don't know what it is and don't want to dig it up without knowing how to look after it.
I only have pictures of a cutting i took off it to try and identify before digging it up.
The bark has quite deep fissures and is growing on the outskirts of Sydney, if that is any help.

DSC_0491.JPG

Thanks in Advance!

[shibui]

Looks like you have your eye on a Callistemon Tommy. Can't tell which species or cultivar but that won't matter because nearly all the Callistemons are quite easy to collect. You can cut the top back to bare wood - right down to a stump if you need to- and cut almost all the roots off and most will survive and grow.
I think the best time to dig Callistemon is later in spring when the weather is a bit warmer. I have dug them at different times through summer successfully. Sometimes it takes a few months for new shoots so don't give up too soon.

[tommytwotoes]

Thank you very much shibui, much appreciated!
Will post pics once I get it.

[Joel]

Everything Shibui said was spot on, as always.

I'd be willing to go out on a limb and call this Callistemon citrinus.

Good luck!

[tommytwotoes]

Thanks for the confirmation Joel.
Will head out this week and start to dig her up, as we have had pretty warm weather up here lately.
I haven't had much experience with the old bottlebrush, any tips on digging up?
I am planning on digging a trench around the tree to cut the roots and leave for another week or so to go and dig out of the ground.
Any other tips will be greatly appreciated!
Thanks in advance.

[shibui]

trenching for just a week or two is pointless. The idea of trenching is to allow the cut roots to grow new feeder roots while the tree is sustained by the deeper roots. You need to wait for several months for that to be effective. I also note that most people cut the roots far too long when spading or trenching so that after they do dig the tree they need to cut the roots back further to fit it into a pot. I can't see the point in that myself

This is a Callistemon. They recover very easily after digging so there is not really anything to be gained from trenching except to reassure you. The tree will recover just as well whatever you do.

Will head out this week and start to dig her up, as we have had pretty warm weather up here lately.

Really? Like November weather? Remember that most natives like it to be quite warm to recover from root pruning. Luckily this is a Callistemon. They are some of the hardiest natives and others have had good success digging them at all times of the year so it will probably be Ok even this early in spring.

[tommytwotoes]

Thanks again shibui!
I'll give myself a bit of reassurance by waiting until the end of spring. The tree isn't going anywhere I guess.
Still learning the fine art of patience
Will post pics when I get it!

[Grainer]

Callistamon