identification

mersino

Yamadori
Messages
54
Reaction score
0
Location
Tampa, FL
USDA Zone
9b
can anyone tell me what this is? we have tons of these at my work but i have no idea what it is let alone if it is bonsai material. help wanted
 

Attachments

  • IMG00104-20110426-1407.jpg
    IMG00104-20110426-1407.jpg
    197.9 KB · Views: 73
  • IMG00105-20110426-1407.jpg
    IMG00105-20110426-1407.jpg
    215.9 KB · Views: 67
  • IMG00106-20110426-1409.jpg
    IMG00106-20110426-1409.jpg
    191.2 KB · Views: 69

R_F

Chumono
Messages
758
Reaction score
10
USDA Zone
9
I think it's an elm.
 

rockm

Spuds Moyogi
Messages
14,181
Reaction score
22,178
Location
Fairfax Va.
USDA Zone
7
This MIGHT be a chinese elm. Where is it growing?
 

plant_dr

Chumono
Messages
926
Reaction score
902
Location
Orem, UT
USDA Zone
5
I'd vote for elm too, but the first picture of the bark is throwing me off.
 

rockm

Spuds Moyogi
Messages
14,181
Reaction score
22,178
Location
Fairfax Va.
USDA Zone
7
the bark is actually what makes me think it's a Chinese elm. C. Elm (ulmus parvifolia) is also known and sold by landscape nurseries as "lacebark elm" as the bark exfoliates in attractive irregular patterns like this.

http://img231.imageshack.us/i/bark.jpg/sr=1
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3433/3778932582_99287f6cb9_z.jpg
http://www.wemoss.org/images/jan09/ulmus_parvifolia/ulmus_parviflora_bark.jpg

A mature Chinese elm in a landscape is very striking, even though we're used to seeing it as bonsai. There are quite a few in neighborhoods around here in N.Va. Some are even used as roadside trees because they're so tough.
 

mersino

Yamadori
Messages
54
Reaction score
0
Location
Tampa, FL
USDA Zone
9b
rockm, you definitely got it! i checked out the links you posted and its spot on. we have 4 huge ones at work and a couple that have sprouted near them and the landscapers were about to dig them up last week. The best part is they have a 3" base and good taper. So i checked with my boss to see if i could take them and he had no problems with that. Do you have any collecting tip for these?
 

rockm

Spuds Moyogi
Messages
14,181
Reaction score
22,178
Location
Fairfax Va.
USDA Zone
7
You can probably dig the thing out, trunk chop it, remove most of the roots (keep a few feeders if you can close in towards the trunk--these usually have a few thinner ropy roots that can be wound into a pot after collection), bareroot it of all soil (using a hose) and put it in a growing container with bonsai soil.

Chinese elm, like most elms, are very tough customers and vigorous. I don't think you will have any problem with re-rooting one of these that's been in the ground. It will have a lot of stored energy to push new growth with.
 

mersino

Yamadori
Messages
54
Reaction score
0
Location
Tampa, FL
USDA Zone
9b
thanks rockm, i'll update when the project is complete
 
Top Bottom