Silver Elm

[zimzallabim]

Hi all

Picked up this the other day, I thought it had a cool shape but the more I look at it the less an idea I have of what it could be in the future.

I though maybe remove that straight top part of trunk completely and use one if the smaller branches for new apex?

Open to suggestions lol















Sent from my D6683 using Tapatalk

[Watto]

Not bad stock. Early advice, get rid of the parallel branching and keep only the one on the outside of the curve. I like the second photo as the front for now, but fertilize well, water well and in a short period of time it will develop into a good small tree.

[zimzallabim]

Not bad stock. Early advice, get rid of the parallel branching and keep only the one on the outside of the curve. I like the second photo as the front for now, but fertilize well, water well and in a short period of time it will develop into a good small tree.

Exactly my thoughts thanks alot

Sent from my D6683 using Tapatalk

[zimzallabim]

This is what o was thinking. Nit sure whether to lose left, right or both of those big branches...







Sent from my D6683 using Tapatalk

[Homer911]

This is what o was thinking. Nit sure whether to lose left, right or both of those big branches...







Sent from my D6683 using Tapatalk

Yep, get rid of them.

Sent from my SM-G900I using Tapatalk

[zimzallabim]

It looks like I'll be growing all new branches hahaha

Sent from my D6683 using Tapatalk

[Watto]

Cut the one on the inside of the curve first, then let it go over winter and then make your decisions in spring.

[zimzallabim]

Cut the one on the inside of the curve first, then let it go over winter and then make your decisions in spring.

We must think alike lol



Sent from my D6683 using Tapatalk

[zimzallabim]

So this is what it looks like now. I have already cut branches back twice recently as it grows very aggressively!

I have been letting it grow like 6 pairs of leaves then cutting off 4 pairs??

Any advise what I should do from here?



Sent from my D6683 using Tapatalk

[treeman]

This is much better material than the maple. The wired section however is too straight for the tree. If you cut that part off and use the arrowed bud as the new leader, you can develop a finer apex.

elmbon.PNG

[zimzallabim]

Thanks treeman I will.do exactly as you suggest I think [SMILING FACE WITH SMILING EYES]

Should I just let it grow wild or keep cutting and growing branches as I've started?

Sent from my D6683 using Tapatalk

[treeman]

I think you're ok to start cutting and shaping. If a branch needs thickening - let it grow, if it's thick enough (balanced), cut

[zimzallabim]

Thanks for the advice treeman

Sent from my D6683 using Tapatalk

[zimzallabim]

One more dumb question. Should I bother wiring this at some stage or just use pruning to shape branches?

Sent from my D6683 using Tapatalk

[kcpoole]

You can lighlty wire shoots and branches while young, Just be careful to not break them off and watch for wire cutting in.

Trees that keep the braches supple after lignifying you can leave till later, but ones that harden off very quick and are very brittle I like to do earlier. Azalea and Japanes maple, crepe myrtle are trees that I like to wire sooner rather than later.

Ken