Suffering for my Art

[BirchMan]

Hi All,

Today i had the opportunity to dig out the stump of a previously 5 metre tall chinese elm. The owner gave me a hand but it still took the two of us the best part of two hours to get it out of the hole.

Chopped back as many roots as i dared and stuck it in a makeshift recovery box until next spring, when i hope to cull the majority of the non-lateral root mass and put it in something shallower.

All i'll say is despite the hard slog (i dragged this to its planting spot solo when i got home), i'm stoked to finally have a huge elm stump to develop. It's currently in a sheltered spot by the fence, out of direct sunlight for a few weeks and has been thoroughly watered and seasoled. Any advice on aftercare is appreciated.

Another photo of it potted up to follow in a couple days.

Cheers!

[MoGanic]

Good looking stump mate, will be grand one day.

You should think about taking a whole heap of root cuttings from the thick roots you don't want (whether you've already taken these off I cannot be sure of though haha). This would allow you to have great material to use for all sorts of grafts on your stump.

Regards,
-Mo

[Josh]

Mate, that is so worth the effort. I'm still looking for a stump like that, maybe one day
Now to let it reshoot and see where it goes.
I agree with Mo.. would be good to have a couple of cuttlings from it to use as grafts ect if needed later on.
Josh

[anttal63]

Get a chainsaw and cut 2/3 off the bottom of that root ball now while its bare on top. Its a chinese elm it wont bat an eye lid and you will be way out in front for doing so with less risk later after having put growth on top. yes yes i know you put it in a box it wont hurt if done now...and you could even soak it in a tub of water for a day or 2.

[Bougy Fan]

Have to agree with ant - that rootball can be reduced drastically and you will save a whole year if you do it now.

[Ryan1979b]

Wow, thats an impressive dig, Wouldn't have even contemplated digging up something that size.

Can't wait to see what happen with it in the next few years, have fun with it

[BirchMan]

Get a chainsaw and cut 2/3 off the bottom of that root ball now while its bare on top. Its a chinese elm it wont bat an eye lid and you will be way out in front for doing so with less risk later after having put growth on top. yes yes i know you put it in a box it wont hurt if done now...and you could even soak it in a tub of water for a day or 2.

Hmm, if you really think it will get me in front i'll consider lifting it this weekend and potting it into something mobile, maybe even a huge bonsai pot. When you say i'll be out in front do you mean in terms of nebari development, or simply that the roots and branches will be able to regrow at the same rate. Would fewer roots and a more constricted potting situation result in finer, more compact growth? Given i don't need to thicken the trunk this is desirable.

There is a mass of woody tangled rootage that will have to go, that is right under the trunk. Maybe it would be best to attack it now and yes maybe i would take a few cuttings in the process (can never have too many).

[Gerard]

I do not like the idea of spending a year or two developing branch structure and then doing massive root reduction.
Do the root reduction first if you can.
You might also consider doing a "V" cut in the top of the trunk and developing the tree as a formal broom style.

[anttal63]

Get a chainsaw and cut 2/3 off the bottom of that root ball now while its bare on top. Its a chinese elm it wont bat an eye lid and you will be way out in front for doing so with less risk later after having put growth on top. yes yes i know you put it in a box it wont hurt if done now...and you could even soak it in a tub of water for a day or 2.

Hmm, if you really think it will get me in front i'll consider lifting it this weekend and potting it into something mobile, maybe even a huge bonsai pot. When you say i'll be out in front do you mean in terms of nebari development, or simply that the roots and branches will be able to regrow at the same rate. Would fewer roots and a more constricted potting situation result in finer, more compact growth? Given i don't need to thicken the trunk this is desirable.

Finer regrowth,A definate posative right there. Out in front on all counts !!!


There is a mass of woody tangled rootage that will have to go, that is right under the trunk. Maybe it would be best to attack it now and yes maybe i would take a few cuttings in the process (can never have too many).

[BirchMan]

Haha thanks Ant, i think i'm sold.

No need to get lazy and complacent now so close to the 'finish line'. Plus if it can't get to the ground i dont have to worry about having to pry it out again.

[Steven]

That's a fitting brand of bike in the background! (Giant)

I'd second (or 3rd) whats already been said. Saw off the bottom 2/3rds of the roots, take lots of root cuttings, make a 'V' cut, grow it into a massive broom.

How's your back today?

Regards,
Steven

[BirchMan]

That's a fitting brand of bike in the background! (Giant)

I'd second (or 3rd) whats already been said. Saw off the bottom 2/3rds of the roots, take lots of root cuttings, make a 'V' cut, grow it into a massive broom.

How's your back today?

Regards,
Steven

The back's a little tender, legs and arms are also tired and i have cuts and scratches all over my hands. But nothing that won't heal in due course.

[The-Calli-Kid]

Wow. This thing is going to be like the tree from Avatar! Looking forward to seeing you develop it mate!! I'm sure the hard yards will pay off very well!
VERY

CK

[BirchMan]

A few weeks later and the elm's throwing buds up and down the trunk. Gave it a dose of liquid ferts today and will soon think about culling shoots to direct the growth up higher to what will make up the canopy.

Didn't do that root work that was suggested, will leave it for when i pot it early next spring.

[mal]

And up she comes, nice trunk. should look great in a few years.
Mal