AusBonsai

One of my local club members mentioned this tree and that i may like to take some pieces from it (she meant cuttings), you can imagine my face when I pulled up to see this monster. I spent a good bit of time studying all its possibilities and then had a long chat with them about it. After 32yrs it turns out they are planning to remove the tree after enjoying one more years blooms.

Like any big tree nut & lover of plums, on hearing such news...I offered to remove it for them as long as i can have it to work on. They agreed wholeheartedly tho somewhat mistified as to why anyone would want a tree with so much rot in it. I have used an 8" pot for size comparison. With the help of a few good strong mates I plan to move as intact as possible to one of my growing beds, being very careful not to damage the minimal live vein on the right hand trunk. Once it has recovered & growth is underway I will set a layer on the right hand trunk as originally planned and also start on layers from the left hand trunk. I expect to take a few years slowly layering off bits of the left hand trunk then splitting the whole in half and working up the bases as 2 more trees.

I couldnt wait to share this baby any longer, 3 days of keeping my mouth shut about this tree was almost too much to bear

Matt

Wow Matt, thats gonna be a beauty!!

Edward Scissorhand wrote:Wow Matt, thats gonna be a beauty!!

Thanks Eddie... maybe... in another decade or 2 & lots of work... Its a challenge and thats what i love most about this great art... I can see up to 6 big trees out of this one.

The first challenge is getting it out of the ground and home. It doesnt have to travel far(about 15k's) but its not the smallest tree. Am sure it will generate a lot of looks as I drive home with it over the roof of my ute. I reckon by the time i get it unloaded & in the ground most of my little town will know about the local madman's latest escapade, ah well it will give them something to talk about for a while, like the 80 cubic metres of concrete in the front yard wasnt enough

Once I get it out of the ground it might be possible to split it in half which will make it a bit easier to load & transport. I dont mind if I lose most of it but that first section on the right hand trunk is priority number one, I think its the best bit of the whole tree but I couldnt leave the rest...could I?

I have already enlisted 2 mates to help and will try & find atleast one more. Taking Alpines estimate of 350+kg for his one this wont be any lighter. Not the biggest i have ever played with but close to it.

Matt