Bonds Guy Corky Chinese Elm #1

[Bonds Guy]

Just added a corky chinese elm to the collection. It’s nothing too special but I’m liking it and it’s my first opportunity at building ramification so I’m a little excited.



From first glance that 1st branch on the right is too big and needs to be removed. However that creates a lot of negative space so I’ll need a new branch. Then there’s the root ball that needs to be reduced, but thats a chore for spring ‘26. In the meantime I want to slip pot it into one of those tiepots I have laying around here to build its strength. The tree isn’t weak but I get the feeling it’s not at peak health. But before I can any of that, I gotta get the tree out the damn pot.



I don’t see any wire so I’m so confused why is it so hard to get out. Can anyone shed some light?

 

[KateM]

I think it's because the lip of the pot is incurved. You need to loosen the soils/roots around the rim and undercut the root mass where it widens following the pot wall. There are tools for that...

 

[Michael P]

A cheap serrated kitchen knife works pretty well too. I hate incurved pots for this reason.

 

[vcnsiqueira]

Beautiful tree! Yeah, that first right branch isn't working with it. Also, I agree that it's not in its peak health. I think a heavy fertilisation and a full growing season can fix this problem.

About the branch, just cutting it will create a new one in that position? Have you considered grafting using a long branch (I don't the name of this technique in English - is it something like transfix?). I think elms are pretty hard to do that.

Anyway, what a beautiful tree! Congrats!!

 

[NeedlesAndLeaves]

Save the roots, cut the pot.

 

[Youngling]

Can't see it in 3D. This might be possible? Still a heavy piece high up though, this way it's more like a trunk/2nd top.
(Ignore the pot please)

 

[Bonds Guy]

Can't see it in 3D. This might be possible? Still a heavy piece high up though, this way it's more like a trunk/2nd top.
(Ignore the pot please)
View attachment 567469

I was also considering this idea too. I’m still not sold on it yet but I appreciate the drawing

Beautiful tree! Yeah, that first right branch isn't working with it. Also, I agree that it's not in its peak health. I think a heavy fertilisation and a full growing season can fix this problem.

Thanks! I slip pot it into a tie pot but will hold off fertilizing it until I see some strong growth.

About the branch, just cutting it will create a new one in that position? Have you considered grafting using a long branch (I don't the name of this technique in English - is it something like transfix?). I think elms are pretty hard to do that.

Yeah its called thread grafting. From my experience with elms its not necessary to do that because they backbud so easily from cuts. But once its healthy I’ll do cuts in small increments to see if this holds up

 

[Youngling]

I was also considering this idea too. I’m still not sold on it yet but I appreciate the drawing

NP. Mmm, yea i guess you lose something you already have in the tree, if you were to go my route. Its a big move. Some elements will be lost. Whatever you do make sure YOU like it.