My clump,my clump,my sexy,sexy clump!

[M. Frary]

I've been planning on digging this up since last year. Its a Chinese elm clump that sprouted next to my sisters garage. My Great grandmother and grandfather built the house. They planted a few landscape trees when they did. One was a Chinese elm. It's gone now but one of its progeny still lived by coming up from a root that went under the garage. When the original half dead original was cut down and the stump jerked someone must have left a root exposed and a tree grew. It was cyt down but resprouted into this.

 

[M. Frary]

So I went to it.
Growing next to,right up against the building this was going to be tough.
I cut it down first. Then got to digging.
Just as I thought the tap roots were huge and right up against the foundation of the garage. I dug it out so I could work under there with a saw. Hand saw. It had 2 giant roots about 6" in diameter going down and then under the garage.

 

[M. Frary]

I didn't take pictures of the excavation and didn't wear a Godzilla suit as was suggested by a member here. Just not going to find a Godzilla suit in Fairview Michigan.
But this is what I ended up with. Not very many small feeder roots at all. Some. More than likely enough to survive.
The plus to the whole collection even though it's a
little early is the tree was pushing sap up the trunk on its way to the buds. This tree is in the sun all day and has been thawed out for a couple weeks and it wouldn't be long before the leaves started to open. When Spring comes here its fast. The trees seem to know they can't screw around because in 6 months it's back to getting ready for winter.
These are pictures of the clump after my gentle operation. And after being put into its new home. The almighty collander.

 

[M. Frary]

In case you didn't see it in the ulmus selfie contest here's one with my face in it for size reference.
Try to focus on the tree. I know it's hard to look away from such a handsome face but try to focus.

 

[JudyB]

Well, it's big, and the tree isn't too small either...
Have fun and post up what you wind up doing with it!

 

[sorce]

Sexy, and the tree ain't bad either!

Sorce

 

[M. Frary]

Well, it's big, and the tree isn't too small either...
Have fun and post up what you wind up doing with it!

I think what it just went through should be enough for this year.
And that head has to be that big in order to look right with the rest of the package.

 

[M. Frary]

Sexy, and the tree ain't bad either!

Sorce

Easy big fella'! I knew posting my face would be a big distraction but let's focus on the stump please.

 

[jk_lewis]

This'll be lots of fun. If it were mine, I'd cut all three of the largest stumps completely off. If they'd been in the middle, they would have been fin for th clump, but on the edges, not so much. I think you'll end up with a nicer and more evenly mixed clump.

 

[M. Frary]

This'll be lots of fun. If it were mine, I'd cut all three of the largest stumps completely off. If they'd been in the middle, they would have been fin for th clump, but on the edges, not so much. I think you'll end up with a nicer and more evenly mixed clump.

I like your thinking Jim. And you are right. But I'm not sure I want to get rid of all of the biggest ones. Maybe the biggest could stay and get rid of the other 2.
Or leave it alone and grow a wild ass unconventional clump style.
Or next year split it down the middle. Lots of options! One of my coolest collections so far. And the year has just begun!

 

[jk_lewis]

Well, as I tell my student . . . it's your tree, but . . .

 

[GrimLore]

I like your thinking Jim. And you are right. But I'm not sure I want to get rid of all of the biggest ones. Maybe the biggest could stay and get rid of the other 2.
Or leave it alone and grow a wild ass unconventional clump style.
Or next year split it down the middle. Lots of options! One of my coolest collections so far. And the year has just begun!

I am happy for you on this one and I can see why you might not want to chop it further right off but I suspect you will down the road. As with the Yea and Azalea recently dug here I leave more at first until I have a long time of seeing it. The Yew will loose a decent portion carving, the Azalea will more then likely get chopped a few times over the next 5 as I am certain my plans will change a few times. Cool dig man - Enjoy!

Grimmy

 

[M. Frary]

I usually would cut an elm down to where I want it at time of collection. I wasn't even sure this would make it. I cut Orr almost all roots but 3. But there are some very small feeder roots around the base. It's starting to grow so I'll keep my fingers crossed. I think it will be fine judging by how many buds are popping out all over. It's raining right now but I will get a picture later. I bring it in the house at night if it's going to freeze. Put it out in the morning before work.
My says it's the ugliest f#%÷$ING thing I've brought home to date. I told her to think of it as an ugly duckling. There's beauty in there it just takes time for it to come out.

 

[Paradox]

My says it's the ugliest f#%÷$ING thing I've brought home to date. I told her to think of it as an ugly duckling. There's beauty in there it just takes time for it to come out.

Its like a kid bringing home a stray cat. "But mom, Ill feed him, I promise!"

 

[edprocoat]

Geez Mike, you have my head with less hair, good looking man ! I am Irish and I think Frary is English, so they must be all handsome lads across the pond!

ed

 

[M. Frary]

Why, thanks Ed. I think.

 

[edprocoat]

Why, thanks Ed. I think.

LOl.

ed

 

[M. Frary]

Yep Frary is English I believe.
You have hair?! I do too everywhere but my head. I knew there was a reason I like you.

 

[M. Frary]

These things are amazing. It's just been a little over 3 weeks since I dug this up. It hardly had a root on it but they were apparently enough.

 

[MidMichBonsai]

Got love an elm. Abuse them, torture them, put them through everything you can and all they do is give you love back...gotta love an elm...