CodeMonkeys Collection

[CodeMonkey]

Hi all,

I thought I'd start a thread to track progression of my trees.
Some I may start singular threads for, but I have many now that I don't think deserve there own threads (yet?).

So to get the ball rolling, I decided to "fix" the tree that started it all for me. My mallsai S-bend Chinese elm.
Now, I say fix, all I've done is repot at a better angle to hide the S bend and started to think about styling. I could have stuck it in the ground for a few years but as it was a wedding present from my wife, she likes to keep tabs on it, so in a nice looking pot it must stay.

Now to decide which direction to go with reducing the apex and on how much of the original branches to get rid of. (I'm thinking remove upper right of tree (2nd image), to reduce straightest part of the trunk and remove most of the branch structure!)

 

[Eckhoffw]

I think the new angle is nice in altering the predictable S curve. Are you thinking of chopping here?

 

[CodeMonkey]

I think the new angle is nice in altering the predictable S curve. Are you thinking of chopping here?

I was actually thinking higher up, maybe around where the original cut was made. Purely to keep it looking more tree like (As mentioned the wife checks in on it ).

 

[CodeMonkey]

Next up, two newish trees to me.

Firstly a cork bark elm, which I personally really like. It'll be getting it's first hair cut under my care this week and I'm a little unsure how much I'll end up taking off so will see how it goes.
Secondly, my first attempt at a mame. I little hornbeam. Very long way to go yet!

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Hi all,

I thought I'd start a thread to track progression of my trees.
Some I may start singular threads for, but I have many now that I don't think deserve there own threads (yet?).

So to get the ball rolling, I decided to "fix" the tree that started it all for me. My mallsai S-bend Chinese elm.
Now, I say fix, all I've done is repot at a better angle to hide the S bend and started to think about styling. I could have stuck it in the ground for a few years but as it was a wedding present from my wife, she likes to keep tabs on it, so in a nice looking pot it must stay.

Now to decide which direction to go with reducing the apex and on how much of the original branches to get rid of. (I'm thinking remove upper right of tree (2nd image), to reduce straightest part of the trunk and remove most of the branch structure!)

I would not "chop" at all. Just let it grow out this spring. Sometime around middle of summer sit down and look at it again. The new branches that pop could give it an entirely different feel.

There is nothing really wrong with this tree. Let it grow and re-evaluate in summer. If not sure, wait until next winter, when leafless to re-evaluate. It is not that bad a tree.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

The one is too sparse to prune anything off of. Let it grow a year.

The second, this is dense enough that it could use a pruning and thinning out of branches. The overall profile is fine, just thin out clusters of branches to no more than 2 at any given point.

 

[CodeMonkey]

I would not "chop" at all. Just let it grow out this spring. Sometime around middle of summer sit down and look at it again. The new branches that pop could give it an entirely different feel.

There is nothing really wrong with this tree. Let it grow and re-evaluate in summer. If not sure, wait until next winter, when leafless to re-evaluate. It is not that bad a tree.

Thanks Leo, I do agree, it's not that bad now. I will definitely be looking to replace the branches so will keep that in mind during the next growing season.
I even quite like the roots. (don't shoot me!)

The one is too sparse to prune anything off of. Let it grow a year.

The second, this is dense enough that it could use a pruning and thinning out of branches. The overall profile is fine, just thin out clusters of branches to no more than 2 at any given point.

Yep, not planning on pruning the hornbeam anytime soon and absolutely agree the corker needs some thinning out. I also need to apply some vinegar to the moss on the bark.
Thanks for the feedback!

 

[CodeMonkey]

Next up is the first of 3 root over rock projects I started last year.

This was started using a 1 year old trident seedling (also started a acer.p and a Scots pine). I completely forgot to take any photos last year. Kinda tricky too while attempting to tie rafia with one hand.

Last year I tied on what little roots I had and added some sphagnum to encourage growth before wrapping with shrink wrap.

This year, I decided to check the roots, remove the sphagnum in some places and rearrange where needed. Also put it into a bigger pot as it was a bit snug in the old one!
It looks like it's made a decent start to me. Now to let it grow all year. I'm going to have to chop at some point in the future too.

 

[CodeMonkey]

I completely neglected to post stuff in here all year. Time to catch up.

First up, is this satsuki.
I really like this. It's only young but has wonderful red and white striped flowers.

My only question is should I keep the large straight branch as a sacrifice? Is that a useful technique with azaleas?

I've not managed to keep a satsuki alive long enough to worry about it before. (Lack of winter protection) but I think this one will be OK.

 

[CodeMonkey]

Cork bark elm cuttings.
Didn't expect all of them to root! Now what to do with them?

I'll separate them in spring. Think I'll have to try and move some on.

Any suggestions?

 

[leatherback]

Ohww.. Why not have separate threads for these trees! I love flipping through a tree-conversion thread. Mixing the trees up gets so messy if you later flip through the thread!

I have many now that I don't think deserve there own threads (yet?).

Note the Yet. As they grow into themselves, you will be kicking yourself for not having separate thread. Which they deserve now already, imho

 

[Potawatomi13]

There is nothing really wrong with this tree. Let it grow and re-evaluate in summer. If not sure, wait until next winter, when leafless to re-evaluate. It is not that bad a tree.

Strongly seconded. Number 2 & 3 angles look pretty good. Just needs several years with sacrifice trunk growth to grow trunk size.

 

[Potawatomi13]

Cork bark elm cuttings.
Didn't expect all of them to root! Now what to do with them?

I'll separate them in spring. Think I'll have to try and move some on.

Any suggestions?

View attachment 404212

Attempt to sell on ebay at $2 each plus shipping. Don't do again unless sales go well.

 

[leatherback]

Any suggestions?

cork bark elm group planting?
Large rock, mountainscape planting?

 

[CodeMonkey]

cork bark elm group planting?
Large rock, mountainscape planting?

Ooooh good idea. I actually have a large piece of lava rock I mounted onto a spare piece of flag stone at an angle (cantilever style) I could use.
I'll have to grow them on for a few years first. I need a bigger garden!

 

[CodeMonkey]

Ohww.. Why not have separate threads for these trees! I love flipping through a tree-conversion thread. Mixing the trees up gets so messy if you later flip through the thread!


Note the Yet. As they grow into themselves, you will be kicking yourself for not having separate thread. Which they deserve now already, imho

Perhaps you are right. Maybe I should keep this thread to track propagation type ventures and start individual threads for specific trees?

 

[leatherback]

I'll have to grow them on for a few years first.

I am not sure. I think that a rock planting, grown on the rock, might give a very natural feel. But.. Never done it so do not know!