Brachychiton rupestris - Bottle Tree

[The Surgeon]

Hi All

Some advice please. I have the option to dig a 2m Brachychiton rupestris. I have a couple of q's:
1. When is it best to dig one of these in Melbourne?
2. Any idea on root structure? What should i expect? (yeah i know, difficult Q to answer)
3. The top is at about 2m. Can they be reduced? Will they grown benches down lower? I Assume not.

thanks

[shibui]

Bottle trees can be transplanted quite easily. You will find quite a few threads on Ausbonsai using the search button top right (brachychiton) that show root reduction and pruning of a range of species in the genus.

Transplantation requires minimal soil preparation. The trees, even decades old, can tolerate robust transplantation. Plants have survived a period of three months between removal and it being planted in its new location. This ability allows it great opportunity to be shipped from its Queensland home to different parts of the world.

Yours is only 2m tall so you probably won't need the same level of machinery as these 2 clips but they show how relatively little rootball is needed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01p5CyESS2k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjMMOhwL8Ac

Other Brachychiton sp respond well to pruning. Farmers lop kurrajongs for drought fodder and they sprout back from older wood. I assume that rupestris will also bud on older wood too.
Roots tend to be thick and fleshy but can be cut and they will grow new roots from the cut ends - some of the threads on Ausbonsai show this.

I think, like other natives, the best time to transplant will be warmer weather so October through Feb.

A boab was transplanted from the Kimberley to Kings Park in Perth a few years ago. Not your Qld Bottle tree but probably quite similar in needs and structure.
http://www.bgpa.wa.gov.au/about-us/cons ... giant-boab

[robb63]

Hi Sergeon
I've never seen one grow a bench!! but a branch, yes
cheers and best of luck digging

[dansai]

I haven't had as much experience with rupestris as the other Brachychiton's, but I would say it would react similarly. They do reliably shoot back on old wood when cut below foliage, however, the shoots are concentrated around the cut. So if you want branches down low, you will need to cut low. They also tend to grow very vertical after being cut.

Show us a picture if you can.

[The Surgeon]

Thanks all.

Thanks for the youtube clips Shibu. Was interesting to hear the arborist say they are like succulents - branch comes off just stick it in the ground!!

I'll try and grab a photo

[melbrackstone]

Loved watching that video from the Arboretum. One day I'll have to go down to Canberra and take a gander!