Well then, instead of defoliating, cut back, and cut the remaining leaves in half.That doesn't seem to make any difference.
When you defoliate, did you pull the leaves off? Or cut them off?
Well then, instead of defoliating, cut back, and cut the remaining leaves in half.That doesn't seem to make any difference.
="dirk hoorelbeke, post: 515548, member: 575"]
Good result. Don't forget to thicken the next set of branches too. Don't cut too early. Select and wire keep the foliage. In fall prune back
I don't see a reason to pull leaves in this stage.
Cut. Trust me I will get a gazillion branches in a month. Most will come off. I just want to be able to cut back hard but I want to make sure there is something to cut to. Normally, with an elm say, I would cut back to 2 nodes right away and know 100% that I will get budding at the cut but with this, it's not guaranteed. I have done the half leaf cut before with smaller trees. Even as far as cut 2/3 off the first, 1/2 of the second, and 1/3 off the third. This is how you are supposed to balance but that is way off in the future with this tree.Well then, instead of defoliating, cut back, and cut the remaining leaves in half.
When you defoliate, did you pull the leaves off? Or cut them off?
I like your plan and idea of the end result. Your tree has a look that is enticing...the tree has a grand character. That ground growing really paid off well!What I mean by ''perfect'' is that this particular tree does not seem to grow straight branches so I have abandoned the idea of growing the ''classic'' broom style with all the branches smooth and the transition from thick to thin nice and even. In other words this tree will still be a broom but the branches will have a lot more ''twists and turns'' than your classic ''perfect'' zelkova broom. As for the nebari, I don't know if I could be bothered layering or grafting roots to even that out.
I must admit though, as I'm getting older, a ''perfect'' nebari is becoming less important to me.
I agree, looking good so farThat's going to be a really good tree.
This tree is cool.When You first posted I thought ,yea,well a massive broom zelkova.Just taken from the bed.. nebari now about 8 inches across. I normally don't handle trees this big but damned if I'm not going to make a nice zel!
It started in a pot for 8 years. No good. In the ground one year. A bit better. In the ground another 2 without touching it.
Nebari is not perfect and never will be. Branch transitions are not perfect and never will be.
We will see what happens from here..........
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trimmed a bit
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Final prune
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A box of matches.
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very coarse mix for huge fertilizer dump it's going to get. (Not the normal mix for elms!)
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Potted.
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Someone on ausbonsai suggested firewood , but know just for ''front''"F that!" Is what the Zelcova said.
My curious side is asking me what's the "F" on the left sids all about?
This is a fun tree! Nice!