I spend so much time in my garden - yet little things still pass me by. A few weeks back I transplanted some Nandina .... the space created light and it seems, the light created an Elm clump. Not five minutes later and it was back near where I dug the little seedling clump... just with a different future. If it’s a waste of time it’s only 5 minutes and another few for this post.
Anytime you need more Chinese elm seedlings just disturb the roots around the tree in your yard mate. Looks to be exactly what happened here; in removing the nandina you cut a root and it responded by sending up suckers.
I think you could become the southeast Melbourne connection for Chinese elm if you put your mind to it!