Progression thread - Ulmus Parvifolia & Trident

[Nelis]

Why do you want to trim it this winter already? It’s still a seedling, it needs a few more years of growing before you start cutting back. I’ve got around 60 trident seedlings ranging from 1-2 years old, they’re all going to left to grow for a few years before any cutting gets done to them.

Believe it of not, the trident is already 5 years old, I need branches lower to help with thickening and taper. The idea with this is a mame, seeing that I bend the trunk, and want to use that, it Is pointless to chop it of to create taper, so I need lower branches to achieve some taper.

 

[Nelis]

Hi Nelis,
So here is my take on your trees.
Your elm (maybe Zelkova ) looks like it is staying too wet for too long and the roots are in trouble. The yellow leaves and early defoliation are a symptom of a problem. So if the roots are in trouble the last thing you want to do is feed it. Getting the roots healthy first is the game, and ease up on the watering with this one. Maybe repotting in the next Spring into a more open media might be an answer.
Your trident looks ok and healthy, and I agree with the others that you need to leave it alone.
Both look like you could be impatient, and I was definitely one of those a few years ago. How many other trees have you bought/grown etc? I have a hundred or more I am growing out for the next few years or more, and a few more advanced ones for me to do something while waiting and trying not to be impatient lol.
Good luck,
Charles

Hi Charles, fully agree that there is a problem, staying wet for too long is definitely a possibility, as I said, we had afternoon thunderstorms non stop just about every day for 2 or 3 weeks with high humidity, tomorrow that will stop, and then that will change, high temps and dry weather. I haven't watered them at all in that time. Catch 22!
I have about a dozen other trees, and a lot of seedlings and cuttings, keeping me busy.

 

[Nelis]

So in the southern hemisphere, our winter is coming to an end, with the worst of the cold weather behind us. So I repotted most of my trees, including the two in this thread.

I could not remember that the roots on the Elm was this bad when I repotted it last fall, but then it was a quick, "get it out of the ground and move" replant.
I cut most of the horrible roots of, but even after I was done, "ground layering" kept popping into my head. It might happen yet.

 

[Nelis]

Ready to grow. This time in a sifted open soil.

 

[Nelis]

As per usual, I forgot to take pictures of everything, but here is the Trident.
Had lots of roots, but looked better than the elm. Cut of all the thick and crossing, close together roots and planted it on a plate.

I'm still considering to cut it lower to force buds lower down on the trunk, but will wait till late spring to see what happens.

 

[jason biggs]

I think both those trees have potential - well done.