Cedrus deodara

I recently started working for a client who mistakenly planted a Cedrus deodara infront of her living room window, thinking it would spread rather than grow to a whopping 50 metres or so in height :D Pretty funny really, sure you agree...?

Anyhow, the tree must be... 5 years old and has had the central leader removed and is indeed pretty prostrate at the moment.

I am wondering though - is it maybe possible to rootball this cracker of a tree and pop it into a large pot and kind-of semi Bonsai the thing? It would be a big task to say the least but I feel its well worth a go. Anyone seen the like of this before please?

Many thanks!
Roy

 

Evening, Roy. The Cedrus deodara is, as you indicate, not for the small garden to say the least!

I have been doing Bonsai for about 15 years and I'm not sure about this. You say it's abut 5 years old ... they grow about a foot a year for the first ten years, so can we assume it's 5 foot or less? Is it the common one or the "Aurea" which turns golden in the Autumn? If it's the latter, then I think it may have a better chance in a pot ... but, then again, I've not done one!

 

I'd give it a go, Roy. You sound like you know what you're doing - and it certanly can't stay where it is!!

I don't think I'd go for the bonsai bit, though - if they haven't got anywhere suitable, I'd suggest they give up on it altogether and go for a smaller specimen if they really want a conifer - there are plenty of them!!

Have fun digging it up!! :rolleyes: If you're not going to re-home it - use a mattock!! You could have a private word with Plant with a Pickaxe about that..... :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

 

You say Hello .. I say Goodbye! That's mine and t'other half's song! :D :D

 

L of L, its the plain deodara rather the 'Aurea' but I would think it to be around 5 years - its more like 5 feet wide than 5 feet tall due to the leader being removed.

Dendrobium, problem being that the owner was given the tree as a present so is not going to be happy about not trying something. The garden is not big enough for it though so I'm still thinking big pot if I can get the thing out of the ground. I used to rootball 10 year old pines when working at Edinburgh Uni so know all about the pickaxe bit!! :rolleyes:

I'll let you know how things progress...

Kind regards
Roy

 

Does the owner have somewhere that she (or he, but sounds like a she...) could donate it to, and could go and visit it???? Seriously - I don't see how you can do anything in a small garden with something as potentially enormous as a deodara! I love them - but not in a small garden! :rolleyes:

 

I'd be very interested to see whether this survived/ thrived if dug up and root pruned as for a bonsai- theoretically I don't see why it shouldn't work- unless anyone knows better!

If the tap root is to be removed it would make shifting it a lot easier, too!

 

Hi Dendrobium and Liz and thanks for your replies!
I did originally explain to the lady that the deodara very possibly may pop its clogs if lifted but she was willing to give it a go. Apart from giving it to someone else, which of course is a good suggestion, the only other option is to pot up and just see what happens. Maybe it would be a first if I potted up but I'm thinking that regardless of where it goes when lifted it just ain't going to survive.

I should be there in that garden today (Sunday) but eck, its Sunday and one day off a week is okay surely? Furthermore, I had a bit too much last night and so shall spend much of today enjoying myself on G.C. and recuperating and having another or 2.

Cheers!
Roy

 

And you can still spell things like "furthermore"!! Can't have had that much, Roy!

I do tend to gree - survival isn't exactly guaranteed (the deodara, I mean - not you!! :D

 

I'm a Scotsman through and through so we can drink a skinful as someone said or "they" say, Dendrobium. But then, you know what I mean, being in West Lothian.
After the amount I've drunk in the past week I don't think its the deodara's survival thats in question here after all! :D

Enjoy your evening and have a on me!

Cheers!


Royster

 

Need to put in a special request for pics showing different types of booze - I never drink beer - and if I hd my usual red wine in that form and those quantities, I'd be as tired as a newt!!

I see my wholly subjective preconceived idea was right, though - she IS a she!! Hope the tree survives, and I'm sure you'll give it your best shot. Good luck with, Roy - but don't have TOO many of the or you'll be too and probably

 

Its good to have a laugh Dendrobium and I'm having one right now - thanks indeed for that post!! :D

Sure, red wine is a passion of mine too but I do get the hangover big time if consumed in large quantities

May I quote you on "I'd be as tired as a newt!! [whistle]".

I've never heard that saying before Dendrobe but I have heard "as pissed as the proverbial newt"

And another quote - "I see my wholly subjective preconceived idea was right, though - she IS a she!!"
Indeed, she is a SHE! I know you and Jazid (I believe it was) discussed this matter at some length recently here on G.C., much, once again, to my amusement - and no disrespect intended!

Sure, I will be in this particular garden tomorrow but you are right I best not indulge too much in the or else I may well be

Nice one!!!

Kindest regards!
Royster

 

:rolleyes:

 

Que?

 

Diga nada!