The yardadori temptation! A casual collection question prompt.

[DonielDoom]

Hello all!
I've recently begun absorbing more information on collection, and keeping my eye out for low bar learning opportunities. A lot of that looks like reading about others' experiences, learning more about my natives, timing for various actions/work on various species, etc etc etc. All while browsing the online markets for any practice material, under the hopes that I may get a landscape plant from a yard for my first dig.

This mature Japanese Maple listing has been up for a few days now. I don't have the tools, trailer, or experience to tackle something like this (or at least that's what I keep telling myself), but that doesn't stop the wonder. So, I bring the ad to you as a prompt;

How would you tackle a project like this if given the opportunity?

Let's pretend the trunk and nebari are solid, and of fairly quick use in the design. You have access to a mature, semi-sought-after tree in a yard not your own, what's your plan to get it home safely?

 

[PonderingSage:]

Yeah, I would dig that. I would not pass on that, especially if you can get some winter protection
Get a small mattock for digging .

 

[Cajunrider]

Digging it would not be a problem. Lifting it to put on your truck would be. If I were you, I would rent a small Uhaul equipment trailer with a ramp. You can easily drag that tree on to the trailer.

 

[queenofsheba52]

I sometimes use a big old folding cart, sort of like a luggage cart but sturdier, to roll heavy house plants around. I bet this might help you get the tree into the truck with ramp.

Since the owner says he just basically plopped the tree onto the yard and built up soil around it, it sounds like an easier dig than most Yardadori. If you have a friend who might help, all the better!

I say go for it! Just be sure to leave the owner's property looking clean and neat.

 

[jevanlewis]

That's a great find! I would not hesitate to take it and turn it into a landscape tree. I had a similar tree at my home back in Seattle. Even though I was also into bonsai, I really enjoyed have some landscape trees to take care of. They aren't as fragile because you never have to repot, and watering is really simple. And, they are much more forgiving with pruning.

Depending on how much you want to spend, there are companies who specialize in transplanting mature trees. Might be worth the investment for such a valuable tree.

 

[SmallTreeGuy]

That's a great find! I would not hesitate to take it and turn it into a landscape tree. I had a similar tree at my home back in Seattle. Even though I was also into bonsai, I really enjoyed have some landscape trees to take care of. They aren't as fragile because you never have to repot, and watering is really simple. And, they are much more forgiving with pruning.

Depending on how much you want to spend, there are companies who specialize in transplanting mature trees. Might be worth the investment for such a valuable tree.

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Ahhhhhhh! Such a beautiful maple!

 

[rockm]

Would not dig a grafted maple like that one (look closely bulge on the right). Thread leaf and lace leaf JMs are almost always grafted.

Also, this is on the large side for most any bonsai. You'd have to significantly reduce the branching (it's 10 feet across the canopy), or remove large ones, leaving pretty huge scars. That means a few years to a decade in a grow bed to heal those.

Digging something this big in an old residential neighborhood presents some issues. For instance, utility lines...Nothing like poking a shovel/backhoe bucket through a gas line to get your either killed or charged. Cut a digital cable and take out everyone's Internet and you may be hunted down and, well, can only imagine... Before I put a shovel to earth, I would call Miss Utility (wouldn't rely on the landowner to do it--great if they do, though) and have them come out and mark where the lines are access.

Also the neighbor's land might be needed to load the thing, etc. This looks to me like a three person job that would require a piece of powered digging equipment, and a long afternoon. Collecting trees always takes longer than you think it will, usually double or triple it.

Also, as mentioned above, I wonder if this homeowner knows there is a pretty substantial market for old landscape trees. A 30-year old lace leaf Japanese maple could bring thousands if the guy looked around...

 

[Shibui]

The tree shown appears to be a weeping, dissectum cultivar so almost all branches will come from near the top of the upright trunk. Not my idea of great bonsai material.
Large bonsai seem to be popular but some trees can be far too big for good bonsai. Don't confuse 'large' with 'good'

Also reiterate @rockm comments on being realistic with estimates.
Trees seem to expand as you dig them so it will end up being thicker, taller and way heavier than you guessed. Always allow more than twice as long as you planned to dig. The container you chose will never be big enough for the roots.

No problem if you intend it as a landscape tree but not for bonsai.

 

[Potawatomi13]

GREAT price and Great LANDSCAPE tree. Would not consider for Bonsai.

 

[DonielDoom]

I am overjoyed with the responses and knowledge shared here!

For the record, I am not going after this tree for any purpose. I have very low odds of a safe transplant in the best of conditions and it would be irresponsible to otherwise attempt. I would absolutely love this, or a JM in general, as a part of my landscape or container collection. I have much internal conflict over doing anything to the landscaping while I occupy rental housing.

I AM however, going to try my hand at collecting and germinating the abundance of JM seeds around my neighborhood this year. As I type this, I find it comical that my posting of "look at this too big (among other things) of a beautiful tree that I can't let myself get" I'm jumping into seed grown JM. Funny on a few levels, but hey, I'm learning quite a bit and having a blast doing it! Here's to hoping I get some maples at the end of it, regardless of their showiness.

Again, I'm so appreciative of the insight and sharing that everyone has given! I'll make a new post in ~20 years to let y'all know if I'm still thinking about this tree. Chances are good...

 

[DonielDoom]

That's a great find! I would not hesitate to take it and turn it into a landscape tree. I had a similar tree at my home back in Seattle. Even though I was also into bonsai, I really enjoyed have some landscape trees to take care of. They aren't as fragile because you never have to repot, and watering is really simple. And, they are much more forgiving with pruning.

Depending on how much you want to spend, there are companies who specialize in transplanting mature trees. Might be worth the investment for such a valuable tree.

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Such gorgeous trees! I can't wait to work with one in a landscape setting!

Also, I had no clue on the transplant service note. It seems like a no-brainer after reading it, but a great resource to know of. Thank you for sharing!

 

[jradics]

i agree with most of the folks on here. If you take it, use as landscape. if it mostly dies next year in the yard, consider bonsai but its a yard tree

GREAT price and Great LANDSCAPE tree. Would not consider for Bonsai.

 

[Sansokuu]

Hello all!
I've recently begun absorbing more information on collection, and keeping my eye out for low bar learning opportunities. A lot of that looks like reading about others' experiences, learning more about my natives, timing for various actions/work on various species, etc etc etc. All while browsing the online markets for any practice material, under the hopes that I may get a landscape plant from a yard for my first dig.

This mature Japanese Maple listing has been up for a few days now. I don't have the tools, trailer, or experience to tackle something like this (or at least that's what I keep telling myself), but that doesn't stop the wonder. So, I bring the ad to you as a prompt;

How would you tackle a project like this if given the opportunity?

Let's pretend the trunk and nebari are solid, and of fairly quick use in the design. You have access to a mature, semi-sought-after tree in a yard not your own, what's your plan to get it home safely?


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Nao and I got rid of two trees like this when we moved into our current home. It Is An Ordeal to remove, and hard enough to keep alive as a landscape tree let alone a bonsai! They look a lot smaller in ground too. Once they come out they are hundreds of pounds. It took several people all day to dig out, and the people taking them had trucks, elbow grease and a lot of straps and I don’t know what else. Definitely dollies. That said, one person did message me a year later and the tree survived, I believe he planted it next to his koi pond. It sounds like this person would only give it to you if you rent a several hundred dollar bucket tractor. You can remove it without one especially since he moved it once already, it will just take way more effort.