I am a very keen digger of possible bonsai and I keep an eye out for possibilities to dig. In early spring 2014 in cooperation with another bonsai nut we had an opportunity to dig a few “bonsai possibilities” from an industrial yard where over many years trees that grew in the grass area were mowed over as the grass was cut on a semi regular basis. This mowing had created a number of trees that were of course very low to the ground and spread but only as high as the grass was allows to grow.

Unfortunately I do not have any photos of the location or the dig (I forgot my camera that day) but the dig was successful and the results are that there are now a few trees that may make a reasonable bonsai in the coming years, and the style will probably be windswept or semi-cascade.

Following are two of the trees (shrubs) that were dug and you can see that they have survived the process quite well.

Firstly is a cotoneaster but I am uncertain of its exact species. This tree surprised me as it flowered and also provided a few fruit which I have left on the tree for now:

Cotoneaster ?

Close up of the fruit

The second one is Pyracantha and again I am uncertain which species and as it is yet to fruit I don’t know the fruit colour, but I think it has a future.

Pyracantha ?