Why do you need to ground layer Chinese Elms?

one_bonsai

Shohin
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Why can't you just chop it off close to the ground and put into soil? It will root won't it?
 

Shibui

Imperial Masterpiece
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9?
That depends on how old the trunk is. Younger wood seems to root far easier than older, thicker pieces.
Cuttings are not quite as easy as you seem to suggest. Cuttings do not always grow. A dry day, not enough water for a couple of hours, a touch too much sun or wind and the cutting can be history.
Layers are much more reliable. They have all the tree's roots supporting it while new ones grow.
For some of the tiny, young trunks we see posted here I agree that there's not much difference between cutting and layer and it probably would not matter too much if it died anyway but the owners seem to love 'their' tree so really want the best chance of survival while making improvements.
Even layers can fail but success rate is way above cuttings, particularly older and thicker ones.
 
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