Collecting Conocarpus erectus (Buttonwood)

[Geo]

I may be able to locate Buttonwood somewhere along the Baja Sur coast.Naturally,I am excited by this.They are mentioned in "Flora of Baja" as occurring up and down both coasts of the peninsula.Can someone share specific collecting info about this tree?

 

[Anthony]

Geo,

make sure it is what you want. Without the amazing white wood, they are just bushy and not always dense.
Try a simple cutting first, as they grow quickly.
Good Day
Anthony

 

[Geo]

Thanks,Anthony.
.For certain,I will get cuttings if I can.But(oh happy day) if perchance there is deadwood and I pine to collect the tree,a couple of questions:
I am assuming there will be a big tap involved(as it will be sandy,hellish dry soil). Or am I wrong?
Are they super sensitive about some root loss?

 

[Anthony]

Geo,

the love affair with Conocarpus e. ended very quickly with the growing a seedling and tiny gift [ with white wood ]. the shrub didn't really do anything. Plus Buttonwood's normal shape is a a 30' foot dome with more domes, and the bark is contorted beautifully, much more attractive than the juniper wannabe shapes seen on the Internet or in books.

So we are working towards the dome instead. Plus, found locally is a buttonwood type that is much more branched and smaller in leaves.

Normally just a cut branch, cut end in a bucket of water will root. On our side the sand at the beach is about 1 to 2 feet deep with a clay base. Caused the roots to radially spread and no real taproot is formed.
Hope that helps.
Good Day
Anthony

*P.s try a Tamarind, we normally get seed from locally made sweets or trees.
The boxed sweet tamarinds are often frozen before use and this kills the seed.
BUT if you get one, I think you will love it.

 

[M. Frary]

They allow people to just dig up trees willy nilly without permission?
I don't know crap about buttinwood but can it be dug up this time of year?

 

[Anthony]

Mike,

with most folk, the desire to dig, and dig old things is usually so strong that it cannot be controlled. I have suggested cuttings, in the hopes that Geo, will have the time to gain some experience.
Good Day
Anthony

 

[mat]

The Mexican authorities probably have more important things to worry about than some guy digging up a few plants by the beach.

I have a couple little buttonwoods - bought them both, so cant offer much advice on collecting. The advice I've heard & read & trust says to take care to minimize disturbances to the roots during repotting and that it should be done in heat of the summer. I think it would also apply to collecting. They like to stay wet and don't like the cold or pesticides.

Mary Madison is the expert. I'm sure she could offer more specific advice. Not sure of an email address for her, but she is on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/mary.madison.395

Good luck. Take some pictures for us.

 

[M. Frary]

I know Anthony,boy do I know. Collecting a tree takes a lot more than a shovel too.
It takes forethought,permission,strength,knowledge and the ability to keep a plant alive after you have done the worst thing it's ever had done to it.

 

[M. Frary]

The Mexican authorities probably have more important things to worry about than some guy digging up a few plants by the beach.

Ptobably but it is still wrong. How about I come to your house and dig something up while you're on the toilet?

 

[mat]

Ptobably but it is still wrong. How about I come to your house and dig something up while you're on the toilet?

Your original post said "They allow people to just dig up trees willy nilly without permission?" I was just pointing out that 'they' probably don't care. (Just a guess on my part as I don't really know anything about such laws in Mexico.) I would care about someone digging up trees on my private land.

Also, Geo never said that he wasn't going to get permission, only that he (or she, I suppose) was looking for advice on collecting them.

 

[M. Frary]

Your original post said "They allow people to just dig up trees willy nilly without permission?" I was just pointing out that 'they' probably don't care. (Just a guess on my part as I don't really know anything about such laws in Mexico.) I would care about someone digging up trees on my private land.

Also, Geo never said that he wasn't going to get permission, only that he (or she, I suppose) was looking for advice on collecting them.

The way it was posted was they were going to the coast where button woods live naturally.
I just asked if they can be collected this time of year and that the Mexicans just people dig crap up at will?
You pointing out they probably don't care. Ptobably doesn't really cut it does it. That's like saying they probably won't throw you into jail.
Always find out first who owns whatever you plan to dig. Always ask for permission. Never sully the reputation of people who collect legally and get proper permission by stealing.
Bad advice is way worse than no advice.
My advice would be to learn how to collect the species in question first.
Then if and when you find that one Go Get Permission! If you can't find out who owns the plant move on.
Pretty straight forward advice for anyone wanting to collect trees. I get permission for every tree I take. You can too.

 

[Geo]

Thanks for the Tamarind heads up,Anthony. I will get some seeds when I go to the corner store.They sell the pods in bins!I really don't know why I passed on them until now.It was your praise of them that hooked me.Maybe a mame or shohin?
As for collecting anything:Juniper,Serviceberry,Maple,Alder,Boxwood,Hemlock,.I collected them all when I still lived in Canada,with permission ,of course.None died.I parceled them all out to horticultural friends when I left Canada 10 years ago.
Again, thanks for the Tamarind reminder,Anthony.Fele like picking up some seed today.
Geo.

 

[Anthony]

Geo,

when you get them germinated, give me a shout, I will pass on a little technique to help with shohin or Mame' bonsai.
Good Day
Anthony

 

[Geo]

Anthony,thanks.Will do.

 

[michaelj]

Where do these grow in Baja Sur?

I wonder what the import rules would be....

 

[Geo]

Well,they are dotted here and there.Had one by a house I rented once.But they have orchards somewhere.I bought my seeds in a grocery store.Plain,sealed plastic bag.Looked local.I am soaking the "pulp' off,and then will try to germinate them.They are a Mexican staple dulce.If you can find a Mexican grocery store in Orange County,they will probably have Tamarindo,or can tell you where to get them.

 

[michaelj]

Sorry. My question was ambiguous. I meant the buttonwoods. Where do those grow in Baja?

 

[Geo]

Well,I don't know yet where to find them,except to look above,or inland from mangrove colonies.I am on the extreme south west side of the peninsula.According to my trusty 'BAJA CALIFORNIA PLANT FIELD GUIDE'(Norman C. Roberts)"Conocarpus erecta,common Spanish name "Botoncillo,"occurs on both coasts in salt water or brackish swamps and along estuaries,from Bahai de Los Angeles to the Cape Region". I live in the Cape Region;so I just have to get out there and look.There are not that many Mangrove stands around.I will look for the closest one and then maybe get lucky with the Buttonwood.Meanwhile I am sprouting Tamarindos.