Tree identification

[BonRy_an]

Been watching this tree grow in a pot that I had left outside with potting soil.

At first when I saw it growing I did not know if it was a tree or not, but
I am pretty sure now that it is.

It just started getting freezing outside, and the leaves are yellowing so
I am not sure if it needs to be out in the cold or not.


Thanks for the help,

Ryan

 

[cmeg1]

Looks like elm,there are a bunch of different kinds,maybe American elm.Ulmus species.

 

[BonRy_an]

Looks like elm,there are a bunch of different kinds,maybe American elm.Ulmus species.

Does it have good future potential or do I just have a new potted plant?

Edit:

Hit the google, and found out that chinese elms are great.

 

[BonRy_an]

Another question I have is if I should keep it inside or outside.

Also since it already grew in an existing pot outdoors (naturally I might add) should I leave it be
or should I repot it?

 

[cmeg1]

Looks somewhat big leaved.Would maybe look good in somewhat bigger size.Maybe create a informal upright by growing in the ground.
Here is a link http://www.bonsai4me.com/AdvTech/ATdevelopingtrunksforbonsai.htm
It is multiple pages.

 

[cmeg1]

Another question I have is if I should keep it inside or outside.

Also since it already grew in an existing pot outdoors (naturally I might add) should I leave it be
or should I repot it?

I'm thinking it probably has a tap root on it if it was a chance seedling that sprouted.
If that is the case,I would just mulch the pot in somewhere outside in the shade over winter on the ground.
Then in spring you can repot and cut the long tap root and plant back in the pot or a plastic colander then plant in the ground come next fall when it is more established after that grow season.

 

[jkd2572]

It's an elm. It will most likely die if kept inside.

 

[cmeg1]

Does it have good future potential or do I just have a new potted plant?

Edit:

Hit the google, and found out that chinese elms are great.

I have seen Chinese elm first year seedlings with quite big leaves if in the shade.maybe take a look around and try to find the parent tree the seed came from.Chances are it is close by unless a bird dropped it in there.

 

[BonRy_an]

Looks somewhat big leaved.Would maybe look good in somewhat bigger size.Maybe create a informal upright by growing in the ground.
Here is a link http://www.bonsai4me.com/AdvTech/ATdevelopingtrunksforbonsai.htm
It is multiple pages.

The trunk diameter is .5 inch. So I should cut the trunk off at 3.5 inches after planting it outdoors?

 

[cmeg1]

The trunk diameter is .5 inch. So I should cut the trunk off at 3.5 inches after planting it outdoors?

No.The link I left you sais you do not chop until the bottom trunk has reached a desirable thickness.To do that you let it rocket away in free growth before you chop.Then it will regrow a new leader.Then you let that grow until you chop again.
It really depends on how fat you want the trunk to be. Could be anywhere from 1" or a few inches.It takes longer for fatter trunks.
Generally bigger leaves mean to go for a bigger trunk and tree.

 

[BonRy_an]

I have seen Chinese elm first year seedlings with quite big leaves if in the shade.maybe take a look around and try to find the parent tree the seed came from.Chances are it is close by unless a bird dropped it in there.

It was a quite unusual location as the nearest tree that has similar leaf structure is 50ft away. It has leaves that are about the same size as the leaves from the mid to the top of the tree, but not as big as the leaves near the trunk of the seedling.

 

[BonRy_an]

No.The link I left you sais you do not chop until the bottom trunk has reached a desirable thickness.To do that you let it rocket away in free growth before you chop.Then it will regrow a new leader.Then you let that grow until you chop again.
It really depends on how fat you want the trunk to be. Could be anywhere from 1" or a few inches.It takes longer for fatter trunks.
Generally bigger leaves mean to go for a bigger trunk and tree.

Whoops. I need to read more carefully. Thanks. So I should just find a nice shaded spot for it to remain until it gets a trunk as thick as I am looking for. (I am wanting a really thick trunk as those look really nice).

We can have some cold winters here in Kansas. Should I look for a spot that is some what protected?

 

[cmeg1]

You can tell by comparing the leaves.The leaves on the parent tree are probably darker and slightly more robust looking ,but you can tell if they are the same.The parent tree probably does not have opposit leaves either,though it could ,I do not grow many Ulmus,but have in the past.

 

[BonRy_an]

You can tell by comparing the leaves.The leaves on the parent tree are probably darker and slightly more robust looking ,but you can tell if they are the same.The parent tree probably does not have opposit leaves either,though it could ,I do not grow many Ulmus,but have in the past.

The leaves were very similar also. It was a small tree though with really long branches and not much height. Was growing almost like what you expect to see a weed look like right by a sidewalk.

They were definitely darker.

A little darker than this:

 

[cmeg1]

Whoops. I need to read more carefully. Thanks. So I should just find a nice shaded spot for it to remain until it gets a trunk as thick as I am looking for. (I am wanting a really thick trunk as those look really nice).

We can have some cold winters here in Kansas. Should I look for a spot that is some what protected?

Yes,I only suggested shade for the winter.Direct sun can bother a potted tree in dormancy over the winter.It is best when it freezes and stay frozen and not continually thaw and re-freeze.
I would grow it in open sun in the warm months for healthy growth.
Over the winter,you could maybe sink the pot into the ground half way and put some mulch around it.Let snow cover it.That will insulate it.Again in the shade.

 

[cmeg1]

The parent tree would be at least 6-10 feet tall as it would have to be mature enough to have seed.

 

[BonRy_an]

The parent tree would be at least 6-10 feet tall as it would have to be mature enough to have seed.

It is 10+ feet tall.

 

[cmeg1]

When you chop an elm they typically have no problem growing a new leader as they bud profusely at the chop site.I pulled these images from the net.

 

[Great Falcon]

how about this one

this and 14 more was sold to me or I won on a auction, they said it was a trident maple acer burgeranium but I don't think so, I want it to make a forest with tridents but the in spring I find out they where different. what kind of maple is this?

 

[sorce]

It was a quite unusual location as the nearest tree that has similar leaf structure is 50ft away. It has leaves that are about the same size as the leaves from the mid to the top of the tree, but not as big as the leaves near the trunk of the seedling.

Every tree has a seed dispersal method. They are meant to get far away from the parent tree. It could've flown in on a Texas Tornado !

Tell you the truth, its not even too unusual for them to land in a container. I found a maple growing in a little glass jar on the river once.

One thing is for sure. Well 2. It is an elm. And it is born to be a bonsai. Hell it was born AS bonsai! It is almost an obligation to continue its life as a bonsai!

Being that they Layer with ease and near certainty, grow like weeds, and backbud fairly predictably.... Respond well to defoliation and can attain a very small leaf size, it has great potential!

This one I found as a first year seedling a little thicker than a toothpick about three years ago.

Photos not in order.

Last winter. (Protection? No.)
Spring.
Beginning of ground layer for radial Nebari. (Foil)
Radial nebari.
And the last trim of the year.

Great fun.

Sorce