Dead patch on Chinese Elm

Rivian

Chumono
Messages
871
Reaction score
715
Location
DE
USDA Zone
6
There is a dead area below a chop on my Chinese Elm

I want to field-grow it so it heals over

Should I also carve away at it? What should I do with the branches now that small tree tertiary structure becomes larger tree secondary structure?

elm1.jpg
elm2.jpg
elm3.jpg
 

Shibui

Imperial Masterpiece
Messages
7,545
Reaction score
15,215
Location
Yackandandah, Australia
USDA Zone
9?
I would cut the dead part away a little back to live cambium. Even taper the cut a little further on the side away from the new trunk so the trunk flows a bit more smoothly.
The new secondary branching all needs to be either wired into position or pruned to grow into branch structure.
The apex probably need to be a bit shorter now too but maybe that can wait until the wound has healed.
Ground growing is good for increasing trunk thickness and healing cuts but just be aware that branches can get too thick when ground growing. You may need to start branches all over after it has grown some.
 

just.wing.it

Deadwood Head
Messages
12,141
Reaction score
17,546
Location
Just South of the Mason Dixon
USDA Zone
6B
Which part looks dead?
It looks like its starting to roll over the chop wound.
Could still work it for better taper I suppose.
Given enough time in the ground, it'll disappear.
 

Rivian

Chumono
Messages
871
Reaction score
715
Location
DE
USDA Zone
6
Theres so much dead that Im gonna fieldgrow it, dont care about the current branches anyway. Put it in a larger pot till then
 

Attachments

  • elmupdatd.jpg
    elmupdatd.jpg
    168.5 KB · Views: 8
Top Bottom