Is my elm tree dead?

Phillthy

Mame
Messages
227
Reaction score
187
Location
Long Island, New York
i bought this tree off eBay and when it arrived the leaves didn't look as healthy. I gave it a few weeks to adjust hoping it would bounce back. It didn't. The tree has dropped all of its leaves, does that mean it is dead? I scratched the trunk and a few of the branches and it is still green. How long will it take for it to bounce back?
 

Attachments

  • IMG_1065.JPG
    IMG_1065.JPG
    302.8 KB · Views: 75
  • IMG_1066.JPG
    IMG_1066.JPG
    289.9 KB · Views: 76
  • IMG_1067.JPG
    IMG_1067.JPG
    230.6 KB · Views: 72

Zach Smith

Omono
Messages
1,513
Reaction score
2,851
Location
St. Francisville, LA
USDA Zone
8
Are the smallest branches still bendable? And I mean really bendable. If so, there's a chance it'll pull through. But you've got to stop watering it, the soil is clearly water-logged and that will finish it off if it isn't already dead. Let the soil surface get dry before watering again (and keep it out of the rain, too). Chinese elms tend to put on new buds pretty quickly when they're cut back or repotted or defoliated, so you should see something soon.

Good luck!
 

Paradox

Imperial Masterpiece
Messages
9,338
Reaction score
11,403
Location
Long Island, NY
USDA Zone
7a
Chinese elms are pretty tough. Since it is September, I wouldn't worry too much yet about it losing its foliage. My Chinese elm loses its leaves every fall. It's a bit early but it may be fine.

You are on Long Island and might not see new leaves until next spring.

I agree with Zach, be careful how much you water. Water it only when the soil is almost dry.
 

JudyB

Queen of the Nuts
Messages
13,750
Reaction score
23,250
Location
South East of Cols. OH
USDA Zone
6a
It may try to put out new leaves as it recovers, if it does, you'll have to give it very good protection this winter, as it will be weakened. Good luck at least it's an elm, they are tough!
 

sorce

Nonsense Rascal
Messages
32,908
Reaction score
45,579
Location
Berwyn, Il
USDA Zone
6.2
Different climate from where it came from

Thanks for the only valid question so far!

It could easily be from somewhere where it was already going dormant.

But.

Let's not start a list of the types of fungus it has....
Easier to jot the one it Doesn't have!:eek:

Phillthy, it's ok to live up to your name.....
But....
Well first....
These fucks at my work are beating the shit out of the roof joists we are installing....
I told them I swear they would have Edward Scissor hands put their condoms on for them....
(They won't work no more!)

So....

Buying this tree...
(If with current pics)

Is like having the option of 3 equally beautiful women and choosing the one with HIV!

It's like having a pen full of chickens and rabbits and bringing home a pet fox.

It's like saying people from NJ are cooler than people from NY.

It's inviting collection killers into the garden!

Brother.....

There are folks here that have elms in better condition than that which they would Probly sell you.
This is an honest community and if you are unsure yet as to who here is best to serve your tree needs I will give you the list.

If our Number one goal here is not to END THIS BAIT AND SWITCH SHIT ON Ebay....

We are 10K+ WEAK!

@Zach Smith @Don Blackmond @Stickroot

@anyone else with a healthy elm.

@the seemingly more honest Facebook auctions.

Hell.

If I was you....

I would plan one trip to Rochester every other year....
Probly volunteer to help set up as to get supreme early picks on the sales tables.

There is NO more direct way for you to safely aquire what will be some of the best, healthiest, most diverse selection of trees in the States.

If spending Phillthy $ on a tree at all.

N o Ebay.
O ne love.
O ne Nut.
B ust it!

Sorce
 

M. Frary

Bonsai Godzilla
Messages
14,307
Reaction score
22,116
Location
Mio Michigan
USDA Zone
4
It could easily be from somewhere where it was already going dormant
Unless it came from siberia I really don't think so.
The only signs of trees losing leaves up here is one amur maple.
Every elm I have are all still green.
I think it's dead. The black bark in the first photos isn't natural looking.
 

sorce

Nonsense Rascal
Messages
32,908
Reaction score
45,579
Location
Berwyn, Il
USDA Zone
6.2
I think it's dead. The black bark in the first photos isn't

I would agree....
My elms are just slowing down...

But this year is fucked up around here.

We have locust that are bare.
And maples still growing.

Maples losing leaves.
And purpling junipers.

Growing junipers,

And this frigging heat wave!
@just.wing.it was too early!:p
No better early than later bro!

It's nuckin futs!

Sorce
 

just.wing.it

Deadwood Head
Messages
12,141
Reaction score
17,546
Location
Just South of the Mason Dixon
USDA Zone
6B
I would agree....
My elms are just slowing down...

But this year is fucked up around here.

We have locust that are bare.
And maples still growing.

Maples losing leaves.
And purpling junipers.

Growing junipers,

And this frigging heat wave!
@just.wing.it was too early!:p
No better early than later bro!

It's nuckin futs!

Sorce
It's all good.
All 3 of my trops started growing better inside... it's interesting.
Still chilly nights too, round here.
Ficus didn't drop a single leaf.
Lots of my stuff outside is still growing, the only ones that begun their fall routine is the tulip poplar, and the one hornbeam.
 

Stickroot

Masterpiece
Messages
2,539
Reaction score
5,158
Location
Mid MO
USDA Zone
5
I think it's gonna live. I have had them do this almost every time in shipping and sometimes sit there for months with no activity. I received a corkbark Chinese elm cutting a few weeks ago, about a 3/4 base 12" tall, little guy and looks really bad but it will come through I'm sure.
Just keep watering and talking to it.
 

sorce

Nonsense Rascal
Messages
32,908
Reaction score
45,579
Location
Berwyn, Il
USDA Zone
6.2
Ficus didn't drop a single leaf.

Nice...

Your setup is GdG. God Damn Good!

Them chilly days paused my ficus but they got going again in this what is rumored to be 102 today!

They growing!

I gotta get at least new bulbs...
At best a new system entirely!
To include the new Board.

Sorce
 

Phillthy

Mame
Messages
227
Reaction score
187
Location
Long Island, New York
I think it's gonna live. I have had them do this almost every time in shipping and sometimes sit there for months with no activity. I received a corkbark Chinese elm cutting a few weeks ago, about a 3/4 base 12" tall, little guy and looks really bad but it will come through I'm sure.
Just keep watering and talking to it.
Do you keep it in full sun or shade?
 
Top Bottom