New Water Elm

sikadelic

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I picked this up today when nabbing the BC in my other thread. I really like the movement and taper. I'm excited to see how this one turns out too.
 

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Poink88

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Nice but I'd cut it to less than half it's current length if this is mine.

It is a bit late to collect but hope it makes it.
 

sikadelic

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I'm definitely hacking it way back a little later. Im just letting it regain its strength until next year before I bring the chop on down close to a new leader. It had a fair amount of fine roots that a buried about 4"down. I have a feeling it will pull through.
 

carp

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Assuming it lives til next year, you definitely lose taper about halfway up the trunk, so when you chop it back again, remember to cut long and you leave yourself the option to carve the top.
 

M. Frary

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I have no experience with water elms but if it's like it's cousins it'll probably make it. You'll know soon enough. If it does cut it as low as you want.
 

GrimLore

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Assuming it lives til next year, you definitely lose taper about halfway up the trunk, so when you chop it back again, remember to cut long and you leave yourself the option to carve the top.

Must be in relation to your climate, collecting where I live of any Elm can be done for about another four weeks giving them enough time to bounce back before Winter ;) Also it looks like he adds a Premium Lager so that will improve the chances :p

Grimmy
 

sikadelic

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I also blow a little Camel Menthol smoke on them. Hell, beer and cigarettes keep me nice and healthy! Why wouldnt it work for trees?!
 

GrimLore

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I thought your sig line had SSG - should it be SFC now or is my old memory failing... again...

Grimmy
 

sikadelic

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Nah I'm not that cool (yet). I just picked up SSG this month.
 

GrimLore

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Congratulations! And thank you for being active for so long ;) In the "old days" of the Rubber Tree syndrome I had "thought" I was going to go the full 25 year course. After three and a half years in the damn jungle they decided I did not conform to the Geneva Convention, busted me from SFC to PFC, sent me home, and gave me an Honorable Discharge(puzzled but thankful)... "shrugs" is the best way to describe it but "oh well".

Grimmy
 
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sikadelic

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Thanks for the kind words and your own service. I am sure things were a lot different in your day.

I'm halfway (almost) and will be eligible for retirement in 11 more years. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. It's way down there, but I can see it!
 

Dav4

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Must be in relation to your climate, collecting where I live of any Elm can be done for about another four weeks giving them enough time to bounce back before Winter ;) Also it looks like he adds a Premium Lager so that will improve the chances :p

Grimmy

Water Elms aren't elms, but are related. Their scientific name is Planera aquatica. I'm not 100% sure but believe they grow much slower then a typical elm.
 
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GrimLore

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Water Elms aren't elms, but are related. Their scientific name is Planera aquatica. I'm not 100% sure but believe they grow much slower then a typical elm.

I was not aware of that and have yet again learned something new. Thank you ;)

Grimmy
 

Zach Smith

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Water Elms aren't elms, but are related. Their scientific name is Planera aquatica. I'm not 100% sure but believe they grow much slower then a typical elm.
Actually, water-elms can grow very quickly depending on their growing environment. I can take a 1/4" cutting to a trunk size of 2 1/2" in three years in fertile soil. In the swamps they're an understory species, growing in the muck amongst bald cypresses and blackgums, so tend not to grow so quickly.

Zach
 

Dav4

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Actually, water-elms can grow very quickly depending on their growing environment. I can take a 1/4" cutting to a trunk size of 2 1/2" in three years in fertile soil. In the swamps they're an understory species, growing in the muck amongst bald cypresses and blackgums, so tend not to grow so quickly.

Zach

That makes sense. Thanks Zach.
 

sikadelic

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Actually, water-elms can grow very quickly depending on their growing environment. I can take a 1/4" cutting to a trunk size of 2 1/2" in three years in fertile soil. In the swamps they're an understory species, growing in the muck amongst bald cypresses and blackgums, so tend not to grow so quickly.

Zach
This was exactly the case. This tree was within 6-8 inches of a much larger tree and was heavily shaded. When I dug it I noticed the side closest to the other tree was pretty bare of roots.
 

sikadelic

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An update on this fine gentlemen as it has been 30 days since I collected it. It is doing great and throwing all kinds of growth at me. Im very excited to rework it again next Spring. Until then, just letting it be and feeding.
 

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sikadelic

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Wow, lots of new growth...looking good!

Thanks! I was really surprised to see how resilient this tree is. I didn't get a shot of the roots when I brought it home (I was in a hurry to get everything potted) but they were completely bare on one side. I didn't expect it to rebound so quickly. I am very pleased to see this much growth and I have a lot to choose from next year.
 

sikadelic

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This tree received its second hair cut today. I had not intended on trimming it so much on the first year but I learned that they like to throw several shoots from the same place and can get out of hand pretty quickly. I think I have some decent bones in there and have decided where I think I should chop it to next Spring.

I had let the two lowest branches grow without trimming much the first time in hopes of thickening them a little faster. The 2nd branch thickened up more than my 1st so I will have to address that next year if it doesn't catch up.

The first 2 pics are from 24 August which is just a little over 2 months from collection. These things grow like crazy!! The last two are from today.

I would love some feedback and know two things I should have done differently:
1. Take the wire off sooner
2. Trimmed my branches back to downward growing shoots.
 

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