Monster elm project

Fishtank307 · Mar 31, 2020

I got this larg elm stump last year in September. It was overgrown and pretty much neglected by its owner then. Pruned it back and then left it alone. I can't say for sure what kind of elm it is...

Halfway done pruning, last september. Revealing the old trunk.

Very powerful base imo. Also a couple of very large root that need pruning/carving. Kind of looks like a face (or half a face) from this angle.
I've never named any of my trees, but I thought 'Fangorn' or 'Treebeard' would be a fitting name.

This was how I left it last year.

Then at the end of January it produced beautiful flowers. Sadly, I don't have a picture from the peak of the bloom, when they opened...

This is how it looks today. Some thicker branches in the apex need to be removed, but I'm still waiting for my concave cutter to arrive in the mail!

I'm not sure if I want to keep the current apex... Maybe it's a bit too tall and straight?

sorce · Mar 31, 2020

Nice.

Glad to see that left branch gone!

Sorce

Fishtank307 · Mar 31, 2020

Some more close-ups:

The 'back' of the tree. (Or front, I haven't really decided yet)

Large scar

Lots of character!

The scar, viewed from the side.

The scar up top. So many buds!

Treebeard, the shepherd of the forest.

Seeds!

I need to buy me a good die grinder soon!

sorce · Mar 31, 2020

Fishtank307 said:
I'm not sure if I want to keep the current apex... Maybe it's a bit too tall and straight?

The pic above this text....that "front" looks good because of how it makes the second segment look shorter. This is the best taperal view, worth striving for.

I'd be much more concerned with rubbing those buds out, so you actually get a left branch worth having. Perhaps even harshly slicing off all that tissue that wants to bud.
You must teach it otherwise.

Without that branch getting the energy it needs, you don't have to worry about the Apex, as it will require removal because of its dominance.

Sorce

Fishtank307 · Mar 31, 2020

sorce said:
The pic above this text....that "front" looks good because of how it makes the second segment look shorter. This is the best taperal view, worth striving for.

I'd be much more concerned with rubbing those buds out, so you actually get a left branch worth having. Perhaps even harshly slicing off all that tissue that wants to bud.
You must teach it otherwise.

Without that branch getting the energy it needs, you don't have to worry about the Apex, as it will require removal because of its dominance.

Sorce

You're right about the taper with this front. I've always pictured this tree with this as the front, it just works well.

About those buds... I've been neglecting this tree for some time now. Now with the quarantine I should get started!
I'd like two branches near the scar, one above the other. The lower branch should come more to the front. The branch above that one will be used as a back branch, to stop the viewer's eye from moving 'behind' the tree, so focussing on the deadwood.

sorce · Mar 31, 2020

I wonder if you couldn't run a couple up over the scar and graft em like Jerry Meislik does ficus?

There sure is enough to mess with!

I have this one through the top, I'm going to slice a v underneath it at the bottom soon and let this cover some wound.

Sorce

MrWunderful · Mar 31, 2020

Yeah that elm should be an easier type to approach layer to put a branch where you want it. That looks like it has tons of buds though-scrape of the ones you dont want and maybe you can get those to pop.

Fishtank307 · Mar 31, 2020

sorce said:
I wonder if you couldn't run a couple up over the scar and graft em like Jerry Meislik does ficus?

There sure is enough to mess with!

I have this one through the top, I'm going to slice a v underneath it at the bottom soon and let this cover some wound.View attachment 292608

Sorce

What's the goal of running a graft across a scar? Promote healing?
That graft looks like it has taken well!

sorce · Mar 31, 2020

Fishtank307 said:
What's the goal of running a graft across a scar? Promote healing?
That graft looks like it has taken well!

He drapes them over to completely cover wounds.
I think the effect left after a while of just having one through the middle could be interesting, different for sure.

Sorce

ConorDash · Apr 3, 2020

Wow great looking Elm, seriously great taper, bark, character.. nice wide spreading nebari.

Got a great piece of raw material... dont mess it up!

Fishtank307 · Apr 4, 2020

ConorDash said:
dont mess it up!

You're making me nervous!

But yeah, I feel so lucky to have found this tree!

Woocash · Apr 4, 2020

That’s a mighty fine looking stump! I think it’s a field elm (Ulmus minor) btw. The corky nobbles on the upper section give it away to me coupled with the leaves being pointier than Ulmus procera or Ulmus glabra.

just.wing.it · Apr 4, 2020

Definitly has a nice shape to it! I'll be watching!

Fishtank307 · May 1, 2020

This beast grows fast!

5th of april:

Wired the branches. Looks like a mess because I had to cross the trunk...

No buds or branches in this section:

15th of april:

3 possible 'first' branches:

25th of april:

I cut back some unnecessary branches and growth in the apex. The growing tips weren't cut, because the branches need to thicken.

Branch development:

Fishtank307 · May 1, 2020

It has a pretty bad gall mite infestation which I'll need to take care of:

just.wing.it · May 1, 2020

Fishtank307 said:
It has a pretty bad gall mite infestation which I'll need to take care of:
View attachment 299729
View attachment 299730

Woah! Noooo!
Does that require a systemic?
Will it kill the Elm?

Fishtank307 · May 1, 2020

just.wing.it said:
Woah! Noooo!
Does that require a systemic?
Will it kill the Elm?

I think I'll have to use a systemic, because the mites are inside those growths... As far as I know, it's not super detrimental for a plant's health, but it ain't pretty either

Leo in N E Illinois · May 4, 2020

I like this elm, I would keep it tall.

Fishtank307 · Jun 17, 2020

I've got the gall mite infestation pretty much under control. I sprayed it with a systemic a little over 3 weeks ago. After a couple of days, the infected leaves started to wilt. There are still some galls left, so I'm going to repeat the treatment in a while. Easy peasy!

Bottom branches were left unpruned.

BrianBay9 · Jun 17, 2020

Nice tree. If it were mine I'd consider changing the planting angle next spring so that the trunk comes out of the ground at a slant, and the second segment is more straight up.

Something like this:

Monster elm project

Shohin

Nonsense Rascal

Shohin

Nonsense Rascal

Shohin

Nonsense Rascal

Omono

Shohin

Nonsense Rascal

Masterpiece

Shohin

Omono

Deadwood Head

Shohin

Shohin

Deadwood Head

Shohin

The Professor

Shohin

Masterpiece

Similar threads