English Elm with problems

[Webos]

G'day guys... I've had this tree for a few years now. When I aquired it, it had branches in good positions but it has since lost 2 or 3 of them. I've come to learn that unpredictable branch dieback is common in English Elm. The loss of branches left the tree with a very long length of trunk with no branches. In fact.. The first branch is the only branch left on the lower part of the trunk. Because of the branch placement, a traditional deciduous upward rising broom-like set of branches would not work for this tree. Instead, I had two options, either trunk chop to the first branch and start again, or bring the upper branches down to fill the void. With this tree being already covered in deadwood, it was never going to fit the traditional deciduous category, so I wasn't too concerned about going non-traditional with this particular specimen. Sometimes, you just have to work with a trees issues and made do with whatever you've got.

The result should give the tree a nice canopy and sihouette once it fills out with leaves. This tree won't ever be a winter showpiece, but it will hopefully look good on the benches in summer and autumn in a few years time.

Adam

[Webos]

Oh no, they're sideways!

[Jason]

There you go mate

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[bodhidharma]

Not a bad save Adam. I find it interesting that you experience dieback on Ee"s as it is something i have never experienced and i have been working with elms for quite a while. Do you repot every year?

[Webos]

Thanks Jason, you're a legend.

Hey there Bodhidharma, I believe that if they are kept well watered and feed, no problems. But if they fall slightly below that top level of care, allowed to get hungry and dry, they'll prioritize and lose unnecessary branches. I was told this by a very experienced bobsai guy after discussing my branch loss to him.

Thanks

Adam

[treeman]

I've never experienced die back on this species either. My guess is that the dying off is caused more by the wiring and severe bending. Also I won't miss this opportunity to say that the branches should be arranged in an upward and outward direction rather than down.
If you need to cut all the branches off and start again then cut them off.

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[Webos]

Hey there Mike, We all know that Classical Japanese bonsai styling determines that deciduous tree branching would usually have their branches designed in an upward fashion. It would also require a deciduous tree to have no deadwood (apart from prunus mume). So according to these rules, this tree is worthy for nothing more than a trip to the fire. But rather than bin it, Im happy to put up with having an unfashionable tree in my backyard.

Thanks

Adam

[treeman]

So according to these rules, this tree is worthy for nothing more than a trip to the fire.

I disagree Adam. A trunk of these dementions takes roughly 10 years to produce from a cutting grown in the ground. You have a tree which already has that decade behind it. Normally, when we remove this kind of material from a growing bed, all the branches must be cut off as they are usually useless. These elms have a huge capacity to regenerate if you allow them to. All it takes is planning. To get brand new branches to catch up with the trunk, all you need to do is select the ones you require from the new growth, wire them into position then when set, remove the wire and let the branch grow unpruned for 1 or even 2 years until the base is a good diameter (about 20mm or so) When you have that, you cut off everything but 1 or 2 buds and just repeat the process. Obviously planting in the ground will speed things up a lot. After a short 2 or 3 years you can pot it up and the rest is just clip and grow. Easy!

[Rory]

If you can get this tree to resemble Mikes virt, that would be a beautiful tree.

[Watto]

Well Adam, I don't mind it all. In fact I like to see some differing designs on trees, it adds interest to your own collection. I too am an avid EE grower, I collect them and I like them. I have grown these for many years and have had no significant branch die back but it does have a reputation in Europe for that very same thing.
Last year I dug a few that are "different" and in the next year or two I will post them up.

[Webos]

Thanks guys.. Appreciate your opinions and comments. I'll continue posting as the tree develops

[Webos]

For some reason, I haven't been able to see your virt until now. Looks great!

[PeterH]

Hi Adam,

I have had a similar problem with mine. Lost a main branch a year after a re pot. I bought mine from a very experienced grower who had also had die back problems.

I dug a large one a couple of years ago with no die back problems ( Yet )

Kind Regards,

Peter