Five Year Native Tree Challenge: RJG2's Ulmus rubra (slippery elm)

[RJG2]

This should be interesting, if I can pull it off (out of the ground).

This elm was cut down at ground level for a fence. The right side grew back into a full tree.

I kept running over the left with the lawn mower, and after rotting away a bunch, it looks like the edge of a crater - this is what I hope to dig up in the spring and turn into some kind of rafty clump.

 

[RJG2]

Inspiration:

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=2877963125811903&id=1523973561210873

 

[penumbra]

It is one of my favorite elms. Love the leaves. I started training one last year and though it has a long way to go, looking at its leaves gives me joy.

I have used the bark every day for 30 years as a dietary supplement.

 

[RJG2]

It is one of my favorite elms. Love the leaves. I started training one last year and though it has a long way to go, looking at its leaves gives me joy.

I have used the bark every day for 30 years as a dietary supplement.

Interesting, I'll have to look into that!

I've been planning on taking an air layer off one of the larger trees for a more traditional style, but was too late this year.

 

[penumbra]

Interesting, I'll have to look into that!

It is an interesting herbal that was used long before this country was settled and then adopted by settlers. Good for anything for the digestive system. Also a paste is made for burns and skin irritations.

 

[RJG2]

Don't have high hopes for this as there were very few (literally) feeder roots that weren't part of the original tree stump, but it would be cool if it survives. Packed with sphagnum to give it a fighting chance. It is an elm at least...

 

[RJG2]

Well, we're still alive so far...

 

[Carol 83]

Well, we're still alive so far...

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At first I thought that was snow in the background and thought "what the hell"!

 

[RJG2]

At first I thought that was snow in the background and thought "what the hell"!

Just a hammock over the wood shed to give a solid background

 

[RJG2]

There are roots coming out of the bottom now, so that's a good sign my giant stump cutting will live. Yay elms!

I should take an air layer or two from the trees in my yard and do some more standard informal uprights.

 

[RJG2]

Just putting some movement down low:

 

[Forrestford]

Very cool elm you got there. I’m excited to see it progress

 

[RJG2]

Grew some good roots this year. Hopefully I can bulk up a few trunks next year and begin growing some branches the next.

Everything got a bit top heavy and flopped over though. Will need to rewire in the spring to get the trunks back in the right places.

 

[Peconomou]

pulled this slipper elm out of a street corner this past spring with no feeder roots at all...just one big bald root...amazing that it leafed out...realizing now it was not a fluke

 

[RJG2]

pulled this slipper elm out of a street corner this past spring with no feeder roots at all...just one big bald root...amazing that it leafed out...realizing now it was not a fluke

I knew they tolerated heavy root work, but I was definitely surprised this survived.

 

[RJG2]

Just positioning and thickening trunks still this year.





Maybe this would be a good candidate for one of @mwar15's "slab pots"!

 

[RJG2]

Just let it grow again this year. Trying to thicken some trunks. Will probably pull it out to check the roots in spring, and get some measurements for the eventual pot.

 

[RJG2]

2-year root check repot.



Most of the roots are on one side. Considering this was a slice of an old rotted out stump, makes sense. Some had grown around, some under the flat saw cut of the bottom.









Callus rolling under the bottom saw cut:



Done. Raised it up about an inch. Hopefully more next time.

 

[luvinthemountains]

I can't really explain why, but I like this project a lot. Bizarre material, a cool backstory, and a great inspiration! I look forward to seeing how it turns out.

 

[Peconomou]

Reported this today....one of my first yamadori about 3 or 4 years ago