century old Hinoki Cypress to be turned into a bonsai….. HELP!!!

[Sebyone]

Hi there,
I need your advice, as I am about to remove a Hinoki Cypress from one of the family graves located near Strasbourg in France, that is about 100 years old. My godmother wants to change the setting of the tomb and obviously, I want to turn this tree into a bonsai, otherwise, it is going to be removed and dumped, which would be a catastrophe. It is about 3 feet high and in already a rather amazing natural shape. It has grown in a very shallow soil, but has managed to develop a rather large root on the side (about 1/2 inch in diameter), escaping from its allocated area.
Obviously, I want to do it right and I was thinking of doing the following:
- Do the operation in April (Would that be the best time?)
- Cut the large root, put some mastic for rapid healing
- Put the tree in its natural soil in a temp pot mixed with some Akadama to help root development, along with some organic fertilizer.
- Let the tree in this temp pot for about a year and only start pruning it and putting it in a bonsai pot next spring
- Put the tree in a cold glass house for its first winter,
If I could get your advice on this, that would be much appreciated.
Many thanks,
Sebastien

 

[small trees]

I would love to see pictures!

 

[Cadillactaste]

Sounds amazing! I agree a shame to see it ditched. Would love to see photos myself of it!

 

[discusmike]

Love to see it.

 

[M. Frary]

I have a couple hinoki cypresses but never collected one. Bought nursery stock. I would dig in the spring right after it starts showing new growth. Once dug remove as much existing soil as possible without beating up the roots as much as possible. Put it in akadama since you said you have it available. Or any well draining bonsai soil. They like to be moist but not sitting in water.
Put it in a spot that gets a little sun in the morning gradually moving to as much full sun as possible.
Let it alone the rest of the year. For winter store in a sheltered place that doesn't get too many temperature fluctuations or cold drying winds.
Hope that answers some questions. Welcome and good luck.And oh yeah like those guys said. A picture would be nice since not too many 100 year old ones show up too often and just the thought of one makes my mouth water.
Here's mine.

 

[Sebyone]

Thanks….

Many thanks for your input, as I am obviously rather scared about the whole story and rather nervous to do it right. I will, I promised take many pictures of the tree in its original place, in details, then as I am removing it from the grave and gradually as it make its way to my bonsai collection. I agree, it's not everyday that one can have access to a tree like this. I owe you some picture and I will post some here to thank you for your help.
Many thanks,
Sebastien

 

[Poink88]

Welcome to B-Nut!

Very smart of you to ask questions now than after collecting the tree. Sounds very interesting and have a great story to boot...certainly a worthy tree to save.

I do not have any hinoki cypress experience but several people here have so you should be getting help as soon as the pics are posted. Do take pics of the planter and the escaped root...might help devise a better plan.

Regardless of what tree it is...you can start the preparatory work now IF the weather in your area is no longer going below freezing. I would notch both sides of the big root (about 1/4 the root diameter each) then apply tourniquet on it now. Even if you do not get it to root yet when you collect...the tree would have started the process of growing new roots there now.

Good luck!

 

[Victrinia Ridgeway]

If the tree is largely in a container, but has one escaping root of about a half in, cutting that root will do no harm to the tree. I wouldn't even worry about putting any kind of wound sealant, it's not needed. Put the tree in a container with the soil it's in, but skip adding any organic ferts to the soil. Soil amendments would serve mostly to clog up your soil more than help. Adding akadama to the extra spaces would be fine though. The thing to be mindful of is to not disturb the roots for a while since it sounds like the tree would be moving from France to Brussels. Not sure how far away that is, but if the climate is very different, the tree should be given a chance to acclimate. Root work should be reserved for when the tree is fully dormant. And since it is a very old tree... done slowly over time. I'd move it soon, as your window is going to be closing. You want to do it before it gets much much warm. All of this assumes you are wanting to do this with greatest care.

Can't wait to see it.

Kindly,

Victrinia

 

[Sebyone]

Thanks again

Thanks for your great advices and help, this is much appreciated. I was thinking of putting a wire on the large root, the problem is that the grave is near Strasbourg about 300 miles from Brussels and I am going to make a special trip down there to pick it up in one go. April in Strasbourg is still a bit chilly, but no more freezing, and spring is definitively out. The climate in Brussels is slightly warmer.
I cannot post any pre-commando photos to get more advices and will plan the trip with all the tools, mastic, Akadama, etc… I am thinking of purchasing a mortar plastic through, drill some holes for the drain, put some plastic net with wire, as I don't know how wide the root system is going to be and I want as little disturbance as possible, as well as, having some room for the Akadama and the root to develop.
I will obviously keep you posted and will post pictures for you all to see your the result of the operation based on your help.
Many thanks,
Seb

 

[Lyons Bonsai]

Look forward to seeing this Seb. Sounds like it will be a busy day.

 

[drew33998]

Something else to think about would be protecting the foliage during the drive. Hopefully it wont be in the back of a pick up with wind whipping the foliage all over the place. Good luck.

 

[october]

Something else to think about would be protecting the foliage during the drive. Hopefully it wont be in the back of a pick up with wind whipping the foliage all over the place. Good luck.

Good advice Drew.

Rob

 

[Poink88]

Something else to think about would be protecting the foliage during the drive. Hopefully it wont be in the back of a pick up with wind whipping the foliage all over the place. Good luck.

I agree. I've seen so many nice landscape trees being transported only to arrive in their destination with lot less leaves and the remaining are all tattered and heavily damaged.

 

[M. Frary]

I agree. I've seen so many nice landscape trees being transported only to arrive in their destination with lot less leaves and the remaining are all tattered and heavily damaged.

Not only do they get beat up but wind burn and dryer out. I worked at a landscape nursery and trees were wrapped in burlap and soaked down for transport. Also we never drove over 40 m.p.h.

 

[DougB]

Not knowing the root structure could result in a tub not being big enough. Another option would be to use burlap as landscapers do for root-balled trees. Good luck.

 

[Poink88]

Not only do they get beat up but wind burn and dryer out. I worked at a landscape nursery and trees were wrapped in burlap and soaked down for transport. Also we never drove over 40 m.p.h.

Landscape people know this...some contractor/workers/home owners don't.

 

[wlambeth]

Most "100 year old" Hinoki I have seen that were growing in the ground were too tall, too straight and had an over-proportioned trunk diameter to be of any use for bonsai.
Perhaps a picture of this tree would help sate our curiosity.

 

[Bonsaininja86]

As everyone else has said, I'd really like to see some pictures. Any of those yet?