AusBonsai

HI,
I'd like to defoliate my english elm but have a question.

Do just cut the leaf of as unlike maples many do not have a leaf stalk, just grow straight from the branch in a radial fashion.

Do I just cut all the leafs off close to the branch.

Any help would be appreciated.

Regards
Rudy

First question to ask is why are you going to defoliate it - especially after only a couple of months of growth ? If it is a finished tree you are preparing to show by all means go ahead but otherwise I feel you should let it grow. The tree uses a hell of a lot of energy regrowing all those leaves and it may not have recovered from dormancy.

I like to defoliate English elms at this time of year, they are quite vigorous growers and respond with smaller leaf size and increased ramification. I will do some trees twice in a growing season. New buds emerge from the base of leaves pulling leaves off is possible but more risky. I like to cut leaving a stem or even a little of the leaf so that I do not disturb the new bud

Thanks for the responses guys.

The tree is about 10 years old and the leaves are big. I'd like encourage some ramification and get some air and light in the middle of the tree, hoping smaller leaves will help to achieve this.

It is very healthy and is in the ground. I tried to post some pics but the file size is to large.

Gerald as many leaves have little or no stalk should i leave just a bit of leaf on these areas?

I tried to upload some pic but file size to big. Will upload when i work out how to reduce size.

I have defoliated other trees but not one of these elms.

I have looked for a thread on this but cannot find one.

Again thanks for all responses, much appreciated.

Regards
Rudy

Not sure if this post by Treeman could be of some help re the inner light and air issue.

viewtopic.php?t=20774

Cheers,
Pearcy.

Thanks Pearcy,

That post was very helpful.

Regards
Rudy