Cedar Elm Progression

[Mike132327]

Im taking the advice of a well versed member here and trying to start progression threads for my projects. This is a recently acquired Cedar elm. Grown from cutting for about 10 years in the ground. It has beautifully rugged bark and the wings on the new twigs are awesome. The base is 5” with a 3”trunk, it is currently 31” tall

This spring I am going to repot to see what is going on with the roots, there’s not much of a nibari and I don’t think much work has been put into it. So that will be a major developing point.

I would also like to reduce the height of the tree and give it a slightly more powerful look. Along with bringing the branching in a little bit tighter.

I still need to decide on a pot shape but I’m liking ones I’ve seen in a natural/stone color glaze I think it really works with the fall colors and bark. Fortunately/unfortunately I have some time to decide, with a foot and a half of snow on the ground and no signs of winter letting up…

I’d love to hear any experiences with the species and thoughts on further progress, thanks for looking.

 

[stav121]

I really like this elegant curve on the trunk, nice tree to start from!

 

[rockm]

Im taking the advice of a well versed member here and trying to start progression threads for my projects. This is a recently acquired Cedar elm. Grown from cutting for about 10 years in the ground. It has beautifully rugged bark and the wings on the new twigs are awesome. The base is 5” with a 3”trunk, it is currently 31” tall

This spring I am going to repot to see what is going on with the roots, there’s not much of a nibari and I don’t think much work has been put into it. So that will be a major developing point.

I would also like to reduce the height of the tree and give it a slightly more powerful look. Along with bringing the branching in a little bit tighter.

I still need to decide on a pot shape but I’m liking ones I’ve seen in a natural/stone color glaze I think it really works with the fall colors and bark. Fortunately/unfortunately I have some time to decide, with a foot and a half of snow on the ground and no signs of winter letting up…

I’d love to hear any experiences with the species and thoughts on further progress, thanks for looking.

Wouldn’t be too worried about a display pot for this yet.

Cedar elm don’t develop very good nebari. You can try to graft new surface roots or other techniques but you find that it will remain reluctant to grow a really good nebari.

The overall shape is pretty good for this tree. The top needs reduction and the branching need to be “brought in” to compress the image effectively. Cedar elm responds to all of this very very well.

Full sun in the summer. Freer draining mix. Keep it watered though.

Cedar elm is a great species to work with and much underused. I’ve collected them and have had CE bonsai for decades.

 

[Mike132327]

I really like this elegant curve on the trunk, nice tree to start from!

I agree, I love the powerful but elegant movement.

 

[Mike132327]

Wouldn’t be too worried about a display pot for this yet.

Cedar elm don’t develop very good nebari. You can try to graft new surface roots or other techniques but you find that it will remain reluctant to grow a really good nebari.

The overall shape is pretty good for this tree. The top needs reduction and the branching need to be “brought in” to compress the image effectively. Cedar elm responds to all of this very very well.

Full sun in the summer. Freer draining mix. Keep it watered though.

Cedar elm is a great species to work with and much underused. I’ve collected them and have had CE bonsai for decades.

Yeah I’m not looking to cram it into a show pot, but I am going to try to get it out of the large plastic pot and into something a little smaller and more appealing. Also it’s in a weird mix, it looks like turface and potting soil so id like to get it into a pumice akadama lava mix.

I have read that about their nebari, I’ve heard root grafts are a good possible option so I’ll explore that down the road.

Couldn’t agree more about reducing the top and tightening up the branches. I do like the shape but it has just out grown its proportions. Starting to build branches and apex will be the focus of this growing season.

Thanks for the care tips as well much appreciated. I’m in southern NY so it shouldn’t have a problem with my summers and I’ve been protecting it in my garage this winter.

 

[rockm]

Fwiw CE is pretty winter hardy. I mulch mine into the backyard every year for the last couple of decades

 

[Mike132327]

Fwiw CE is pretty winter hardy. I mulch mine into the backyard every year for the last couple of decades

I have been trying to find some more info on that so thank you. I figured with it being from the south and winter being extra bitter this year better safe than sorry. Good to know I can keep it with everything else next year. Thank you.

 

[rockm]

I have been trying to find some more info on that so thank you. I figured with it being from the south and winter being extra bitter this year better safe than sorry. Good to know I can keep it with everything else next year. Thank you.

I have family in prime CE territory it get cold occasionally particularly in January. The tops of CE are tough. Roots can be sensitive if left out on benches in winter. Mulch on the ground Thanksgiving to early April-ish works for me.

It wil be interesting to see how things go this spring. The latest cold snap is the deepest and longest for the DC region in 150 years.

 

[Mike132327]

I have family in prime CE territory it get cold occasionally particularly in January. The tops of CE are tough. Roots can be sensitive if left out on benches in winter. Mulch on the ground Thanksgiving to early April-ish works for me.

It wil be interesting to see how things go this spring. The latest cold snap is the deepest and longest for the DC region in 150 years.

That’s sweet I’d love to collect a few of them from the wild. I’d really like to see some old ones in person. I’ve been looking at pics online but it’s hard to get a good sense of a tree with pictures.

We’ve been having a super cold winter as well. I got nervous with the next two weeks forecasted highs of 20 so I pulled the panic cord and brought my nicer trees into the garage.

 

[rockm]

That’s sweet I’d love to collect a few of them from the wild. I’d really like to see some old ones in person. I’ve been looking at pics online but it’s hard to get a good sense of a tree with pictures.

We’ve been having a super cold winter as well. I got nervous with the next two weeks forecasted highs of 20 so I pulled the panic cord and brought my nicer trees into the garage.

Old cedar elm aren't all that spectacular. THey grow in the classic elm vase shape for the most part, although their branches tend to be a bit droopy and "weepy" Older trees have tremendous ramification though. Thick leaves etc. They tend to be smaller 50-90 Feet tall and aren't long lived compared to other elms, with older specimens reaching 100 years or so. They are prolific and send seeds everywhere, cropping up in thickets and growing in gutters, etc.