Rescued or doomed elm?

[PierreR]

So while driving around on my run today, "Johnny" farmer was ripping/tilling dome young looking trees near his yard, As the trees looked different, I stopped and asked him what they were. "Dutch Elm" he figures...

I asked if mind if I grabbed a cutting from the bush pile, and came home with this stick! Haha! It is the root bend, and had 4 pieces of intact root, an a couple twigs still for the most part undamaged. The rest of the pile was badly damaged.

As it was just dug up, I wrapped the root end in napkins, and moistened them from my water bottle. Got them home, whipped a blend of peat, pearlite, coarse grit, and akadama. set it in the pot at an angle that might make sense, and am hoping it takes.

Think it will pull through?

 

[Robert E Holt]

I hope so. I did something similar today. I was moving a pile of Bricks that have been sitting at the edge of my yard since we moved in (10 years ago). Earlier this year (befor I revived my interest in bonsai) I had cut down a bunch of scrub growing out of them and doused it with roundup. While moving the bricks I found two Elm trees. One was small, about the size of a pencil. The other was about 1 ½ inches in diameter had good movement and taper from being cut off several times. The roots on both of them were badly damaged due to digging them out of the bricks. I potted them up in large garden buckets and hope they service.

 

[M. Frary]

I've never dug one up at this time of year but elms are a fairly tough tree to begin with. I would keep it moist and give it some shade. If it starts to perk up move it out a little so it gets more sun. That and keep your fingers crossed guys.

 

[sorce]

I reckon you'll be good in the shade!

Nice feller!

Sorce

 

[GrimLore]

I've never dug one up at this time of year but elms are a fairly tough tree to begin with.

My Wife potted one of the two Friday in a 1/2 inch deep oval tray, roots spread thin and wide. The other in a very small 4 x 3 inch Bonsai pot. They have not skipped a beat and we expect both to push any substrate out of both containers by Fall. When dormant she will trim the roots and repot in the same containers... Tough is an understatement

Grimmy

 

[Robert E Holt]

One technique I have read about (I believe it was in "Bonsai Insperation 2 by Harry Harrington ") to help promote root growth or repair is to pot the tree up in Sphagnum moss. This makes sure the roots can breath well, don't dry out but also don't stay too wet. I have heard it works very well. I will give this a try with the larger of the two trees, since it's roots are the most damaged.

 

[Robert E Holt]

PierreR;

What would be your approach long term for this tree? I would assume you might shorten it up a bit to a lower branch to try and encourage a new apex and develop some movement in the trunk? How long would you expect it to take? How about developing new branches? How difficult would this be on such an elm?

Sorry for all the questions, I am rather new to this and just trying to get a sense for how to actually create a bonsai. In fact this is my first forum post.

 

[PierreR]

Indeed shorten it up, try to use new shoots to get some directional change. They seem to pop buds/branches quite readily looking at other posts, and seeing the younger trees in the area that were damaged. There is one "stump" there, 5" across, that was winged by a snow plow. All but broken off, say 3' long, and it is covered with new growth! May try to get this one in the spring...

As for time to take, not sure. This is my first elm, and not the typical Chinese elm that alot of people use. Now that said, The farmer told me it might be a Dutch Elm. From my digging in the interwebs, it seems Dutch Elm is the disease, not the tree. Can anyone hel me narrow down the species?

 

[Cypress187]

I love it, especcially because the elm is dutch

 

[M. Frary]

Pierre. It is probably American elm or Siberian elm. My guess is American elm judging by the leaf color. Can't tell by the bark yet because it's a young tree. Probably no more than 3 or 4 years old. Just leave it alone this year to grow and get established and then next spring you can do a multitude of things to it.

 

[PierreR]

Appreciate the advice Mike. I'll grab a picture of a mature one (same yard) and a bark shot.

 

[PierreR]

Here ya go! What do you think it is?

 

[M. Frary]

Looks to be Siberian from theeaf size and the angle the lime grow out from the trunk. American elm grow more upright instead of a spreading habit.
Siberian elms are great trees. They will drop an occasional branch I've heard but haven't seen it happen to any of mine. Seen it in nature though.
How large is the one in the picture of a mature one. They take being dug up in stride. And grow faster than American Elms. They have smaller leaves than American elm also. And will reduce down quite far. And are very winter hardy.

 

[PierreR]

This one wasn't ancient by any means.maybe 8"at the base. Its more of an umbrella shape, in that its branches were probably twice as wide as the height of the tree. The large ones by his house, are easily 60' tall, trunks a couple feet thick, big heavy hanging branches.

Looking at this site, and the chart with bark and leaves, i think I would lean towards Siberian? Leaf description seems to fit. Not sure about the serrations.What do you think?
http://www.sactree.com/assets/files/guides/elm-guide.pdf

Seems to fit this description... http://www.cityofgp.com/index.aspx?page=1625
http://plants.usda.gov/java/largeImage?imageID=ulpu_011_avp.jpg

Only thing that confuses me, is some of the leaves have double saw leaf edges, but have uniform/symmetrical bases.

 

[PierreR]

New life! Looks like this one wants to make it! Just checked in on it, and noticed the first new bud opening. Not out of the woods yet, the leaves I left on it are all but dried up now. I'll keep it shaded for some more, and when the new shoot has a couple leaves, move it into the sunlight more.

 

[M. Frary]

Way cool. You're right. Not out of the woods yet but things are stirring.
Tough buggers. These elms.

 

[PierreR]

Look at this nice little stick, popping buds on the outside of the bend just like I planned!

Old leaves are done, new shoots opening!

Encouraged to say the least.

 

[M. Frary]

I love it when a plan comes together!

 

[sorce]

I love it when a plan comes together!

I hope that was said in tight leather gloves, with a cigar!

Sorce

 

[M. Frary]

Murdock! A Team. You are right on the money!
I also pity the fool!