Hi folks,

I've not posted here before, but I'm a regular reader. Some of you may remember me from BonsaiTalk.

My mother-in-law wants a yew hedge removed, and so I've got 18 yews available for the digging. I can only handle two or three for my collection, so I'm looking for others who want free trees for helping me dig. These are 20+ yrs in the ground. Most of the trunks are 5-6 inches diameter at the base. Most are single trunks at the base, but some are multiples into the ground. One way or another they're all coming out. It would be a shame to waste a bunch. Unfortunately, I don't have photos available.

The location is the south side of Indianapolis. Date - not yet determined, but probably the last weekend of Sept or the 1st weekend of October. I'll provide a BBQ lunch/dinner and drinks.

Anyone interested?

Cheers
Brian

How far is that from Queensland in Australia......

Brian,

Im in Dayton Ohio. I'll see if I can make it. What would we need to bring with us? andy

Andy,

If you come, you should bring any digging tools you'd like to use, and something to wrap or pot up the trees with. I'll have tools, but perhaps not enough or what you're used to. I know I won't have enough pots or soil components.

Right now I've had three people express some level of interest - four including me. So if everyone comes we should plan on about 4 trees each. I wouldn't want more than six people total, so that everyone feels they have gotten a good deal.

Cheers
Brian

Brain glad to see you posting here!

"IF" it turns out that you are going to be shy people to remove this hedge drop me a note. Been a while for me since I did a road trip....and I can think of a dozen nurseries I'd like to visit between Indy and PA.

Brian, I've answered this topic on B-Nut, so don't count me as a 5th!

I talked to my wife, and she likes the idea of a visit to Indianapolis around that time. Her 3d daughter lives there, and I have a cousin in Greenwood. So count me in, barring the unforeseen.

Does your mother-in-law live in one of the southern suburbs?

I'll keep you posted Tom.

Tree, you're one of the four in the count already. Yes, she's in Southport, just about 5 miles north of Greenwood.

Brian

Looks like the group is pretty well set. Tom, Andy, Tree, please check your PM and we'll take care of the organization through email.

Thanks guys!

Brian

Tom (Tachigi,) since you specialize in yews ... would it work to dig a yew and wrap the roots in wet newspaper/burlap/whatever until I can get home? Especially given the time of year.

Our car is small and my wife and daughter are coming along; that's why I'm thinking of doing it as I describe.

treebeard55 wrote:Tom (Tachigi,) since you specialize in yews ... would it work to dig a yew and wrap the roots in wet newspaper/burlap/whatever until I can get home? Especially given the time of year.

Our car is small and my wife and daughter are coming along; that's why I'm thinking of doing it as I describe.

Being this is a fall dig, and a fair late fall dig for yews. Maintaining a fairly large root ball is crucial for it to make it through winter since its rejuvenation time is limited.

I would suggest the following materials for the dig:

Hefty 30 gallon garbage bags / newspaper /clear packing tape with the filament reinforcement / large zip ties

You will double bag the the garbage bags. Place some damp newspaper in the bottom. Then gently lift the "intact" root ball into it. Cover the top of the root ball with damp newspaper. At this point you'll try to get as much air or slack from the plastic out, then twist the top of the bag around the trunk and secure it with a zip tie.

This last part is extremely important: You take the packing tape and wrap the ball very tightly to maintain its integrity. This will help keep the root ball from breaking apart during transport. As well as making for a smaller profile in the back seat so that your daughter doesn't have to be strapped to the hood during your journey back.

One unknown here is that we don't know what the soil is comprised of. If its loose then you may want to bring some sphagnum to plug voids in the root ball.

Bet you knew all of that........

Some pics to get your blood pumping!


Tough picture to see just how big the root ball needs to be for a fall collection but might give you an idea


Bundled root ball...and actually I was lazy that day...should have been bundled better. By the way this tree stayed bundled and mulched all winter long and then the root ball was cleaned for potting in the spring.


Unwrapped root ball