Please help Identify

pbethune

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Hello,

I've seen this tree growing from the curb on a bridge. I cleaned around it to expose some nice movement. I have permission to get it and when asked what type of tree it was...I said I couldn't tell from the bark, but maybe, just maybe someone out there has ran into this bark before.
 

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M. Frary

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Elm. Not sure if it's American,Siberian or Chinese. They all kind of look the same at this stage. Get it. Cut it down before you dig it. Get as many roots as possible but there is no need to kill yourself either. They don't need many to survive. Once home wash all of the old soil off completely. Cut the large roots back hard. Place In a collander or training pot of your choice in well draining soil. Stand back and be ready to be amazed. It should take off like a rocket.
I would collect this soon too. I see leaves are starting to open up. Optimal time!
Good luck! You will really like the performance of this tree.
 

jk_lewis

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You're a better man than I, Mike. Looks like any bare, weedy deciduous tree to me. I would not bother with it, anyway.
 

pbethune

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Elm. Not sure if it's American,Siberian or Chinese. They all kind of look the same at this stage. Get it. Cut it down before you dig it. Get as many roots as possible but there is no need to kill yourself either. They don't need many to survive. Once home wash all of the old soil off completely. Cut the large roots back hard. Place In a collander or training pot of your choice in well draining soil. Stand back and be ready to be amazed. It should take off like a rocket.
I would collect this soon too. I see leaves are starting to open up. Optimal time!
Good luck! You will really like the performance of this tree.
Thanks, the thing. It is growing between concrete with a quarter of an inch soil. I will have to use a hammer and chisel to get it. I will and have cut it back for picture sake, but if its an Elm, I will have to get it. Thank you.
 

M. Frary

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You're a better man than I, Mike. Looks like any bare, weedy deciduous tree to me. I would not bother with it, anyway.

I make it my job to learn every tree I can. In all stages of growth. Especially the ones suitable for bonsai. I've seen hundreds of elms at this stage in development. The bark on young elms all looks like this. Once it grows leaves I'll be able to tell for sure exactly which one it is. Or if a mature tree is near. This one looks like a Chinese elm by the way the branching is coming out at a horizontal angle.
 

M. Frary

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Thanks, the thing. It is growing between concrete with a quarter of an inch soil. I will have to use a hammer and chisel to get it. I will and have cut it back for picture sake, but if its an Elm, I will have to get it. Thank you.

Before you go to all that work, look around. Usually where there is one there are more. This grew from a seed that landed in a crack in the concrete. This tree will be tough to get out. Maybe there is one nearby that isn't in such a bad place. If you don't dig it and the property owner still wants it gone he will have to treat the stump with a chemical that can kill it off after it gets cut down. If not it will grow back.
 

pbethune

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Before you go to all that work, look around. Usually where there is one there are more. This grew from a seed that landed in a crack in the concrete. This tree will be tough to get out. Maybe there is one nearby that isn't in such a bad place. If you don't dig it and the property owner still wants it gone he will have to treat the stump with a chemical that can kill it off after it gets cut down. If not it will grow back.
I will attempt to look around today, the area is very windy, I've seen smaller versions, but the look of it says..."Here I am"
 

M. Frary

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I will attempt to look around today, the area is very windy, I've seen smaller versions, but the look of it says..."Here I am"

Also when you dig an elm go deep and look for cool twisty roots to grow out. Its the best way to propogating these. Check out Smokes thread on elm root cuttings. The tap roots on elms are just as fat as the trunk.
 

Stan Kengai

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Tree and all kinds of weeds are growing between the joints and side span of the bridge. This is one of the biggest.

I believe what Jim was trying to ask is: what redeeming qualities does this plant have for bonsai that would make you want to expend the time and energy to dig it up? If that's not the case, then I would ask that question.

I would like to make a recommendation that I hope you don't take offense to. I have noticed in a few of your threads that you've been going out and looking for "yamadori". Instead, why not take that same time and energy, get a part time job or cut some lawns, save some money up, and buy some good material. It may take a little more time and effort, but you will have something to show for it. I understand that life's not always that simple, but it's just a thought.
 

pbethune

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Not offended one bit since we don't know each other. I work full time and look for bushes and trees that are going to be destroyed due to cleaning projects or new tenants of a new house. I also enjoy the hard work that comes from digging them up or getting them rescued. I guess it's my thing. 80% of 40 trees are from that source. So Stan, my man, I don't mind one bit. I belong to a club that many are elderly and will not dig so here is my chance to give back if they like them.
 

jk_lewis

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Why dig it you mean?

YES. That will make a piss poor bonsai at the best. Merely growing in a hardscrabble environment does not mean it can ever become a good bonsai. They have to have character; a base to anchor it to its NEW environment. This one has neither.
 
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