Tips for a Bonsai Dig

HERE ARE A COUPLE OF GUIDELINES ABOUT WHAT YOU NEED FOR A SUCCESSFUL DIG AS WELL AS FOR THE SURVIVAL OF THE EXCAVATED TREE(S)

EQUIPMENT:

1. The Right Clothing- Trousers(denim), Hat, Gloves, Raincoat(if Necessary), Clean/warm Clothing and Decent Shoes(hi-tech Tekkies /Boots)
2. Food
3. Water - for You and Your Trees
4. Insect Repellent [In summer]
5. First Aid Kit
6. Sun Block
7. Toilet Paper
8. Digging Equipment - Spade,”Bospik”, Bowsaw, Secateurs, Gwala, Digging Tool and Sealant ( Wood Glue )
9. Containers for Trees - Plastic Bags/containers or Hessian(optional)
10. Back Pack

THE DIGGING SESSION:

• Ask about Tree Types, Plan What You Want
• Seniors Are Available for Help and Assistance
• Look for Trees with Good Lines(frame)
• Large Trees - the Bottom 50cm of the Stem Is of Utmost Importance
• Get in There !!!!
• Cut Back
• Dig about 15 -20cm Around the Stem or as Big as Your Container Will Be
• Cut Back to Show Frame( Smaller Trees - Frame + Secondary Branches, Large Trees - Frame of Utmost Importance)
• Seal All Cuts with Sealant
• Keep Some Greenery on Your Tree Especially with Sekelbos
• Use Some of the Nutrient Rich Soil in the Area If Available
• Clean Your Digging Site

@HOME:

• Scatter Pieces of Willow Branches and Leaves, Disprin or “Organicure” (Available @ Duncan Wiles) in a Large Container or Bath with Water
• Leave Trees over Night in Water Mixture
• When Planting the Tree Ensure That the Soil Engulfs All the Roots and No Air Pockets Forms Between Them
• Water Thoroughly
• Trees with Greenery must Be Placed in Shady Area for +/- 2 Weeks
• Do Not Transplant the Tree for Approximately 1 Year or until it Is Growing Vigorously

ABOVE ALL ENJOY IT

Please note the list below is an indication of what's required, in no means are all these items necessary.

1. Water (both for yourself and the trees), and possibly a little extra to clean up afterwards.
2. Sun tan lotion
3. Hat
4. Plasters, just in case.
5. Comfortable takkies / boots.
6. Food for the day
7. Toilet roll
8. Something for ticks (spray)
9. Wet hesian / newspaper to wrap the root ball in after collecting.
10. Black bags, to cover the roots once wrapped to retain moisture.
11. String
12. Knife
13. Handsaw to remove large branches.
14. Small handsaw to cut roots.
15. Tree sealer (steriseal is fine, no need to use Japanese sealer).
16. Wiltpruf (to seal in moisture, to slow down transpiration)
17. Lopers to cut roots / branches (extremely useful)
18. Gloves
19. Hook (for example a bent screw driver) to loosen soil / stones between roots.
20. Spray bottle
21. Small spade
22. Axe (must be sharp)
23. Pick
24. Crowbar (to remove rocks)
25. Backpack to carry tools in

I have found that the smaller tools mentioned above are more useful when collecting, but everyone has their own methods and ideas for collecting. I find that the Axe and Pick seem to split the root rather than provide a clean cut no matter how sharp they are, as a result I prefer using a small hand saw to do the job. Remember whatever you take, you will have to carry the tools, and once the tree has been removed this has to be carried to the vehicle along with the tools so try and keep things light, for your own sake.