Dig now or wait?

[Haydenmc]

Hi guys,
Have come across some interesting flowering plum (I think, the ones the councils use roadside) good trunk size in a property I can gain permission to remove from. They have just started to flower - I'm thinking I should cut back to a good sized tree and let heal in the ground for 6 months - or should I just take the whole thing out now and lay ownership to it?
Thanks all.

First post btw.

H

[Andrew Legg]

I can't answer your question, but welcome all the same.

[MattA]

I would dig it now.

[kcpoole]

Yep dig now before theyt leaf out

Ken

[Ray M]

Hi Haydenmc,
Welcome and good to see you posting.

If you dig the tree now make sure you give it a good drink of Seasol. You could give it a drink every week until you see good growth. Don't give it any fertiliser at this stage, just feed it Seasol. After good growth starts you could give it some liquid fertiliser, such as Powerfeed or Charlie Carp.

Regards Ray

[shibui]

I think its better to cut roots hard when the tree has been cut to its minimum. If you cut back the tree and leave it to reshoot it will have more growth to support with roots that have been cut when you dig it next year. I would dig now.

[Haydenmc]

Dig it is then.
There's 2 trees I have my eye on, heaps of heavy undergrowth around them so haven't had a real good look at potential. But, a free healthy ugly stump is better than no stump.
I'm on board with the seasol idea, I love the stuff.
Thanks team

H

[Watto]

Dig it H, the more plums the better.

[The Specimen]

Because its likely an established tree with tap roots, once dugged out how much roots to leave?

Would people pot it up in grow pots or say if it looks good could it go straight into a bonsai pot to appreciate it?

[boom64]

Hi H,
I have been re-potting Plums this week. Dug last year at Goulburn (thanks Watto). I cut the roots back HARD last year, beautifull and fine this year. Dont be afraid !!! I do not often post advise but personal experience is what i am going on .
Happy digging John.

[Haydenmc]

So trees are out of the ground. Tap roots were pretty serious, I'm going to remove anything bigger than my thumb and leave to soak in seasol for a few days then get into poly box until I know they survived.
A bit of rough treatment I know but as I said ... Free trees and an hour of my time, so if they don't survive I haven't lost much, and they were just going to be pulled and mulched anyway.

[The Specimen]

Have u got pics? I too am now a proud owner and cant wait to start working on it.. just a waiting game now as recovery can take seasons

[Haydenmc]

So here is the big boy.

2012-08-20 20.49.37.jpg

as you can see a substantial tap root is hiding in there. it came off and i ended up with something (a bit) more useable.

2012-08-20 20.59.02.jpg

here is what i was dealing with underneath

2012-08-20 20.49.49.jpg

and afterwards - sorry for focus

2012-08-20 20.58.44.jpg

tree 2 - was not in as good health so i cut it back to about 30cm tall - after taking this shot

2012-08-20 20.47.06.jpg

and this is what was removed underneath of this little guy

2012-08-20 20.47.34.jpg

potential?

2012-08-20 20.59.26.jpg

Apologies for poor pics - it was late

They have been soaked in seasol and are now in their grow boxes / pots for the future - until i know the have survived.

[The Specimen]

That is some serious hard yakking there! Great work.. hope the soil was easy to penetrate ^^

[kcpoole]

Nice trunks Hayden
Diggin is good fun eh! Now let them recover and see what shoots

Ken