Chinese Elm #2
- Thread starter ColinFraser
- Start date
Paradox
Marine Bonsologist
Nice job on this one Colin.
This will be a very nice tree someday.
This will be a very nice tree someday.
Giga
Masterpiece
Nice elm - I have an american elm that has fattened up crazly after only 3 years and cut back each year. Elms are crazy that way
jeremy_norbury
Omono
This is a really nice tree, now stop fucking with it and let it grow!
Buy more trees.
Buy more trees.
ColinFraser
Masterpiece
Thanks Jerry!
I heartily endorse this strategy!
ColinFraser
Masterpiece
I just noticed walking by it that there are roots creeping out from under the edge of the cut off pot. All the way around too - Awesome. That means it's probably full of roots.
I'm really glad I put the weed stop fabric down first, so these new roots aren't going straight down to get tangled up with the old ones.
Not messing with it; I promise @jeremy_norbury ! Just walking by and taking pictures
I'm really glad I put the weed stop fabric down first, so these new roots aren't going straight down to get tangled up with the old ones.
Not messing with it; I promise @jeremy_norbury ! Just walking by and taking pictures
ColinFraser
Masterpiece
Also, check out the growth on the first branch, just since the time I started the layer:
jeremy_norbury
Omono
Just photos...famous last words.
ColinFraser
Masterpiece
Yeah, and promising not to post them on the Internet . . . oops!
LanceMac10
Imperial Masterpiece
I'm digging your approach with this piece of material. @ColinFraser .......looks like it will be a stunner one day!
Steven1969s
Shohin
Hi Colin.
Can we gather and update on this tree?
Steve
Can we gather and update on this tree?
Steve
Eric Group
Masterpiece
Surely this has been separated?
ColinFraser
Masterpiece
Hi guys. I'm in England for a couple of weeks, so I'm away from my trees at the moment (I hope they're still alive). This tree has not been separated yet - I decided to wait until spring. Right now I'm just letting the lowest branching and the new leader grow vigorously. I'll try to update with some pictures when I get back.
Tieball
Masterpiece
Really nice work on the tree. The chops are progressing mighty fine. Do Elms in California lose there leaves in what you call a winter season? .....or is there not really a winter dormancy. Just wondering......
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ColinFraser
Masterpiece
Thanks!
Where I am it's mild enough that most elms seem to keep foliage on year 'round, but the state is huge, so there are plenty of places with climates that allow for skiing and winter dormancy.
Tieball
Masterpiece
Thanks. A few more questions.....
On the tree there was a long growth as you grew out more taper and a new apex possibly. The branch was heading up 3' or so. If you just that top shoot grow...and grow...and grow even taller, much taller....and as a result much thicker likely....
1. Would the trunk thicken significantly? From the soil level all the way up to the top?
2. Would this growth create the opportunity for more taper development that results in a taller tree?
On the tree there was a long growth as you grew out more taper and a new apex possibly. The branch was heading up 3' or so. If you just that top shoot grow...and grow...and grow even taller, much taller....and as a result much thicker likely....
1. Would the trunk thicken significantly? From the soil level all the way up to the top?
2. Would this growth create the opportunity for more taper development that results in a taller tree?
ColinFraser
Masterpiece
The quick answer (though admittedly an oversimplification that doesn't tell the whole story) is that a new leader up top probably won't significantly thicken trunk below it until it reaches the same diameter as the lower section(s). In other words, letting it grow too much is probably more likely to ruin taper than improve it.
Just look at the photos of the tree at the beginning of this thread when I first got it - the top section (that I ended up removing) had gotten away from the grower and was as thick or thicker than the segment below it. That's why it had to go.
I think the way to accomplish what you're asking about is strategic sacrifice branches at various heights; otherwise, previously chopped segments are pretty much the thickness They're going to be . . .
Tieball
Masterpiece
Thanks. A good straightforward answer. I understand the growth process you described. I guess I thought....more growth...more leaves...bigger growth rings made by the tree from the roots upward. Bigger rings...thicker trunk.
I should be thinking....let the ground grown tree grow without chopping until the trunk is a desired thickness. Then, perform the first chop. After that chops continue at strategic intervals or bud positions. Each section of new trunk is chopped at a time when it is thinner than the trunk section below it....gradually becoming much thinner as the tree height grows. Something like this?
Generally, after the first trunk chop the section below it hardly grows in thickness. I was thinking that growth was like an outline creating thickness from the base up to the top with each outline adding to overall thickness. A growth ring travels up the entire tree I thought.
I need to resist the temptation to chop to early.
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ColinFraser
Masterpiece
Yes. Exactly this.
ColinFraser
Masterpiece
I should add that this is almost certainly how this tree's trunk was "built" by the grower for years before I purchased it.
Just discussing this has me really missing my trees! I'm looking forward to getting home and assessing any travel-related neglect
