AusBonsai

I decided to collect the last of the trident maple seedlings that have self seeded around the nursery. I lifted the first one with a trowel but there were no deep roots. Same with the next. After that I just lifted them by the trunk and shook off the gravel. None have developed deep roots, just lots of shallow lateral surface roots that should develop into really good nebari as they grow.
I'm not sure whether the root development is just because the surface gravel never dries out or if they have trouble penetrating the compacted layer underneath the gravel. They were all growing in the gravel topping under the nursery benches.
Some were tall and straight but some had nicely bending trunks from searching for light or having pots put on top of them as they developed.

Nice collection there mate. I wish WA didn't have nazi like quarantine laws. I could use some of those over here... as a matter of fact, I could use multiple[le items from your website.