Cotoneaster question

I discovered an absolutely amazing Cotoneaster at work today. It blew me away!!! I have never seen such a large and contorted specimen EVER!! The base must be 12" across and its about 30" high. I think it was planted in the late 50's, when the building was finished. It has a small leaf but not the best variety. I was wondering if anyone has grafted 1 variety onto another. I'm back at work on tuesday and I will take a pic.

will baddeley wrote:I discovered an absolutely amazing Cotoneaster at work today. It blew me away!!! I have never seen such a large and contorted specimen EVER!! The base must be 12" across and its about 30" high. I think it was planted in the late 50's, when the building was finished. It has a small leaf but not the best variety. I was wondering if anyone has grafted 1 variety onto another. I'm back at work on tuesday and I will take a pic.

By 12", you do mean 30 cm, don't you?

If I'm right, it will also be the biggest one I've ever seen, I'm impatient to see the pics.

But why the question about grafting?...

hi will , cant wait to see photo, i wonder if its cot. conspicuous decorous they get huge trunks but have small leaves landscapers use them alot on city planting like roundabouts and office blocks, i had one in the gingko a few years ago . hope you get it out. regards john

I spent 2 years preparing to collect a pair of cotoneasters not quite as big. They were in a sandy dryish soil and had lots of very long old roots. I just couldn't get them to tighten the root ball up. Foolishly I collected them afte 2 years of trying and they didn't make it. I discovered that once they get cut back and start to look like trees more it's beause they are sick and the gardeners had pruned them back. I was told by the gardeners that they had no hope of survival. I have more like like the ones you have found - I would love to know if you can find a way to get this one out alive. I am all ears.

Here are some pics as promised. Not very clear as there is Ivy everywhere. This tree is in very good health and I cut it back severely yesterday.

For some reason I had it in my head this had bad foliage. I take this back.

Will,
Looks impressive. What a trunk...

Todd

It's better than it looks in the picture too. Serious space issues again. I've been offered a churchyard Yew with amazing deadwood and 3 really old, 6" plus(150mm, Alain) gnarled box. They seem to have burrs all over. I have to collect them. No shadow of a doubt.

Stunning trunk Will.
When it comes to collecting.. Just let go. Collect all you can!

Congratulations Will.....looking forward to seeing the others sometime too. I am curious about your wanting to graft though? It looks as though the leaf size is good.

Where are you gonna put these treasures...last I heard you were down sizing!

Take care,
Neil

Hello Neil. Absolutely bloody impossible when I'm offered material like this.

hi will looks like cotoneaster con dec to me john

Wow! That's a beast for sure

HI Will good luck with the cotoneaster, I have managed to bring one on after it was left out of the ground for a week before I got my hands on it... they are hardy blighters.

regards

Tony

I am currently free if you're needing an extra pair of hands for that collecting.

My rates are very reasonable.

Tony wrote:HI Will good luck with the cotoneaster, I have managed to bring one on after it was left out of the ground for a week before I got my hands on it... they are hardy blighters.

regards

Tony

Hello Tony, thats what I thought. Have dud some biggies out before with no trouble at all.

Fiona, your welcome to give me a hand but I'll be checking your pockets before you leave.