In an attempt to ease the post Burrs blues.....

Having suffered the mood swings and energy loss of 'the week after the weekend before', Tony and I went on a little collecting trip today. Actually, it was as much an excuse to get out into the wilderness as anything else, but if you happen to spot an interesting little tree, well.....

I need to sift through the pictures yet to disguise any that give away our location, but I just had to show you this Hawthorn I found about 20 yds from where we parked. It was just sat there, bold as brass on the roadside verge about 6 ft back and 10 ft up. And this after a perilous trudge across the face of some very sheer slopes covered in scree where we found virtually nothing worthy of collection.





As you can see from his face, Tony was not best pleased that I got to this one before him!
You won't believe the nebari, bark and movement, or the amount of fine root we got (the black bag is stuffed full of them!). I'll post more pics this week after it's potted.

Here's another one I found. As you can see, plenty of roots with this one, and the trunk has rooted itself at the point where it turns upwards (below the dirty mark on the trunk).

Super way to beat the Burrs Blues Steve, you lucky, lucky boy!!

2 fabulous looking trees you have there my friend, and a great (if sulking) collecting buddy.
Keep well mate,
Regards,
Simon

I actually got 3 trees today (against Tony's none!). The third is a little shohin Hawthorn that I didn't get a picture of because I was too bust trying to stop myself scree-surfing whilst balancing a rucksack on my back. I'll post pics later this week.

And you're right Simon, Tony is a brilliant collecting partner. Not only does he have the eyes of an eagle, but he's remarkably fit and agile for an old geezer! And his anecdotes help the long drives fly by.

Harleyrider wrote:The third is a little shohin Hawthorn

You know how to kick a man when he's down Steve.
Joking aside mate, I can't wait to see the pics,
Okk, Okk,
Simon

No reason why you should be down, matey. Having seen your pics of 'Burrsesque 1' I can see you've got a nice collection of your own!

GIT

Those are some really nice trees!!!! I just don,t know how you keep them alive thru winter...i have seen pictures of your winters....well i know that you know how it is done and they will be great trees when worked by you both....lucky lucky,,,,,john

@ Andy. Now that's not very gentlemanly, is it? You arse!

@ moyogijohn. Yes, our winter's do tend to be a little on the harsh side. In fact, last year I lost every tree I had collected due to the severe and lengthy frosts we had. This year, however, I'm putting them in my friend's greenhouse, all wrapped up in bubble wrap. Then it's fingers crossed and hope for the best.

Harleyrider wrote:And you're right Simon, Tony is a brilliant collecting partner. Not only does he have the eyes of an eagle, but he's remarkably fit and agile for an old geezer!

Ah wait a minute - I resemble that - Tony and I are the same age!

Erm.....ah. Erm....Oh look! *points behind Rob whilst making a dash for the door*

Rob Kempinski wrote:

Harleyrider wrote:And you're right Simon, Tony is a brilliant collecting partner. Not only does he have the eyes of an eagle, but he's remarkably fit and agile for an old geezer!

Ah wait a minute - I resemble that - Tony and I are the same age!

Ah but Rob, you must be the sleeker lined, supercharged model from the same year. You are the Ferrari Monza to his Hillman Minx.

Cummon guys a character assassination so early on a Sunday morning

still looking good though.

I was going to add that the Hillman Minx was solid, dependable and built to last.

I myself was of course a 1959 Peerless.




Although, when comparing us, I would have to say that you appear to have much nicer bumpers.

bonsai monkey wrote: and a great (if sulking) collecting buddy.

Simon... have you seen the yamadori I have in my garden? Sulk... me?... OK so maybe the bottom lip did stick out a wee bit when we collected the big one...

Steve no mention here of Deja vu?

Deja vu?........I've heard that somewhere before.....

Fiona, that's a magnificent set of headlights you're sporting there!

Very dazzling when on full beam.

fiona wrote:Very dazzling when on full beam.

Surely it's more dipped beam these days.

The dangerous brothers

@ Will. You're a braver man than I, Gungha Din!

@ Tony. How come your photographer knew why we'd stood in that particular spot, and mine didn't? Couldn't possibly be something to do with the fact that your's wasn't a woman, could it? Surely not.

@ Will. On reflection, after my last comment, perhaps not!

will baddeley wrote:

fiona wrote:Very dazzling when on full beam.

Surely it's more dipped beam these days.

See Harleyrider's comment. Then, run like .....



And for the record, it's all to do with ensuring you have the correct alignment. Which I have.

tony wrote:

bonsai monkey wrote: and a great (if sulking) collecting buddy.

Simon... have you seen the yamadori I have in my garden? Sulk... me?...

Yes I have. Sorry Tony, I should have know better.
Nice little Yamadori Padawan you have there mate

Regards,
Simon

bonsai monkey wrote:Nice little Yamadori Padawan you have there mate

He is learning... may the force be with you too!

Umm, cheeky this southerner is. Slap him upside the head I must.