Would this be a good candidate for bonsai?

[Temple]

Would this be a good candidate for bonsai? *UPDATE*



This old tree/bush is scheduled to get dug up and tossed aside. I like the way it is naturally shaped. Just not sure it would survive being dug up and asked to live in a pot.

UPDATE


I was able to get it out of the ground and into this home brew pot large enough to hold what roots I could recover. The soil is almost 100% pumice. I found the soil it was growing in was clay and propellant. It's been 24 hours and so far it seems ok. I know some plants look ok but are infact dead and others i have planted looked very sad in a couple of hours. I rolled the box out into the sun for the picture but I'm keeping it next to my garage mostly shade with a couple hours of morning sun.

In the picture there is a bag of mulch I'm thinking about placing some around the tree while its in the box to help keep moisture in the soil, any thoughts on this?

 

[Poink88]

Looks very promising. Do you know what species this is?

Personally, I would take it if I were you. Note that the timing is bad but I've dug trees in August and they survived. It is take it now or it is dead situation anyway.

Good luck!

 

[Tona]

If it's getting destroyed anyway, take it. Get all the roots you can and keep in in partial shade for a few months. I use perlite and sphagnum moss around the natural soil for collected trees (mostly junipers and boxwood's) and have had good root growth success. Others can chime in with their collected plant methods and soil recipes.
Good luck,
Tona

 

[Temple]

Up until today all of the trees I have collected have been in very sandy soil.

The one in the picture above is located in an area that had tons, yes tons, of military propellant dumped on the ground. No telling how long the tree has been growing in the poor soil conditions. I'm also guessing that would account for its current condition.

Usually I collect as much native soil from around the collected tree and pot it in that. In this case I don't think it's going to be an option, I don't want explosive soil going home with me

 

[Poink88]

I'd probably stay away collecting from a brownfield (more so in a military property) but you know better than us so just proceed with caution if you still push through.

Good luck!

 

[GrimLore]

Up until today all of the trees I have collected have been in very sandy soil.

The one in the picture above is located in an area that had tons, yes tons, of military propellant dumped on the ground. No telling how long the tree has been growing in the poor soil conditions. I'm also guessing that would account for its current condition.

Usually I collect as much native soil from around the collected tree and pot it in that. In this case I don't think it's going to be an option, I don't want explosive soil going home with me

If it does not ignite when you dig with a spade you will be ok Serious though if the site is being prepped for building the crap is inert - quit jabbering and get that plant! It looks like a nice find!

 

[Poink88]

Serious though if the site is being prepped for building the crap is inert...

Possibly but not always. I did lots of soil remediation work before construction a while back on sites similar to this.

 

[GrimLore]

Possibly but not always. I did lots of soil remediation work before construction a while back on sites similar to this.

Times have changed my friend, my Wife Is an is quite active in the field and although client's do not like it the DEP and DEC are really doing their work the last 3 years or so. Now if it was outside of the State's I would agree.

 

[Poink88]

Maybe but I assure you, not everywhere in the US. We just had projects here in Austin that needed brownfield remediation and it is ongoing everywhere. Most cities have this problem as older structures are demolished and new ones are built to replace it.

I also know lots of landowners who are now stuck with messy & costly cleanup after the oil companies leave once their lease expired. In fact, one family acquaintance in particular is going through litigation with Shell right now.

Sorry for the thread hi-jack.

 

[GrimLore]

Since when is Austin Texas part of the United States? Geesh

 

[Smoke]

Isn't Jefferson Davis President there?

 

[Temple]

@ Poink88 and GrimLore, your both correct about sites around the US and that's where I come into the picture. I'm one of those people that goes out and cleans up the left over ordnance and dumped propellant and what ever else was left behind on military bases.

And my line of work allows me to get into places most people will never get to step foot on. My experience with those areas also allows me to collect a unique tree safely
Please don't think I'm bragging because I'm not I think of it as a blessing.

I will be collecting the tree in a week after I build a box for it.

 

[Temple]

Update 2/8/13

 

[GrimLore]

Update 2/8/13

How did you make out with that collection? I really liked the way that plant looked and I am highly interested in how it is doing

 

[Poink88]

How did you make out with that collection? I really liked the way that plant looked and I am highly interested in how it is doing

GL,

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