This species is prolific, and small, self-seeded specimens can be found along most roads and in many gardens. They are easily recognisable by their toothed green to greeny-yellow leaves, small green to brown berries, and light grey bark.
Due to their popularity, many of these trees are purchased from nurseries every year. However, there is a much easier way to obtain a White Stinkwood, which will also save you money.
All you need to do is locate one of these smaller specimens somewhere around your neighbourhood. If it is on a piece of private property, it would be advisable to contact the owner and ask permission before removing the tree, as the last thing you want to do is be accused of theft.
Once you have established that you may indeed remove the tree, it should be carefully excavated so as not to damage the roots. Some smaller specimens can simply be pulled out, gently but firmly, and the roots will follow. Larger trees, however, will require you to get down and dirty.
Obviously when digging out any tree, the objective is to damage the tree as little as possible. This means keeping a large majority of the root ball in tact. Any tools that will help you get the tree out are useful, but the main ones would probably be a pick-axe, a large shovel, a hand trowel, and a strong pair of secateurs to cut roots when neccessary. Once you have the tree out of the ground, the roots should be dampened and placed into a plastic bag to prevent moisture loss.
Once you get the tree home, all of the leaves should be individually snipped off. This can be done using a sharp knife, a pair of scissors, or nail clippers. Although this is a tedious task, it will save the tree a lot of energy, and increase it's chances of recovery. This is because the tree will focus more energy into root growth than leaf recovery. Once the roots are well-established, the leaves will grow back.
The leafless tree should then be placed into a jar, or bucket (depending on the size of the tree) of water, ensuring that all roots are submerged, and left to soak for 3 to 5 days, after which the tree can be planted.
The same process can be followed in order to create a bonsai White Stinkwood, although for this, the main taproot should be mostly removed, and the tree planted in a suitable pot, rather than in the garden.
Regardless of the purpose your new tree will serve, after planting it should be watered thoroughly twice a day, until new leaves have opened. Leaf buds on the tree are almost always a sure sign that the tree will survive, and although they may take a few months to show, it is well worth it for this beautiful indigenous species.
