Zelkova advice

[MattA]

I am working thru my deciduous trees early so I dont get caught out & end up having surgey when I really need to be working on my trees. I have a largish zelkova that I acquired last spring & planted in the ground for a season, it has made over 6' of growth in all directions & put a fair amount of wood on in that time too, I would like to dig, cut off all the existing branches, get it into a pot & start the branching this season. Leaf made early in the season has coloured & dropped but those on extension growth after the summer hiatus has not, would be ok to dig now or should I hold off as long as possible (ie do closer to spring)?
Thanks in advance.

[craigw60]

Hi Matt, I think its ok to pot trees with a well established fibrous root system a bit early because there is not much pruning involved but trees which require heavy root cutting are best left until much later in the winter.
Craigw

[MattA]

Thanks Craig,
That has been the basis for my winter work over the years, this winter is a little different due to personal circumstance. Given the amount of growth up top I would expect a fairly heavy root system to match so it will be left till last...

[MattA]

Couldn't wait & dug today, it has a great roots pread & lots of fine roots as its only been in the ground 1 season, it has a few heavy chops that will need attention over the coming years but overall I am happy with the lower flaring that has been introduced.

winter13.jpg