Maiden69
Masterpiece
Well, as far as I know Chinese elm are semi-deciduous, so the requirements for a full dormancy shouldn't apply to them. I seen matured trees in central Florida, which rarely ever get any hard cold weather.
Chinese Elm Starting To Leaf Out
- Thread starter RobGA
- Start date
BrightsideB
Omono
I noticed you are close to my area. Chinese elm is fine outdoors here. Mine just lost it’s leaves a couple weeks ago and my winged elms still have a couple that are turning yellow. Our winters are mild. Unless we get a substantial quick drop into the teens or single digits like last winter it can do damage so protecting is smart. It dropped from like the 40’s to single digits over night and that did damage to some of my maples even killed a couple.
It’s the springtime when protecting inside the house or garage is always a factor for me. We get those highs during the day and freezing temps at night for a couple weeks here and there. Definitely don’t want the newly forming leaves freezing the soft tissue. It usually is fine for elms but my Japanese maples will get freeze burn and the leaves will die.
I also bought a Chinese elm from a nursery and did a trunk chop during fall. It continued to grow the new leader almost through the entire winter. I don’t recommend doing that but it shows that the Chinese elms leaves are pretty hardy for a deciduous.
RobGA
Mame
Thanks everyone. Here is a pic of the tree. One other question I had is about surface roots. This tree has quite a few with some looping around the tree. I was wondering if I should repot in late February and bury the roots below the soil, cut them or leave them be. 
coachspinks
Chumono
Repot when the buds really start extending. Here in Georgia that could well be late February but don't be surprised if it is a little earlier. Pull what roots you can so that they don't cross. Any that you can't move you should be able to cut off. Plant it deep enough so that you can cover most of the roots so that they will thicken.
Shibui
Imperial Masterpiece
Depends what you like to look at. I prefer to look at roots that look natural which does not include looping up out of the soil or twisting around the trunk. Burying the offending roots will just hide all the good strong surface roots.
There's no problem cutting off a few roots any time. Chinese elm are hardy and can cope with well over 75% root reduction so taking off a couple of surface roots is no issue at all.
Spring is the usual repot time for Chinese elms but they are one of the species that can cope with repot almost any time of year. In warmer areas where they never go fully dormant the growers repot any time of year regardless of whether the tree is growing because they never really stop growing. In cooler climates I would avoid winter repot as the roots seem to get infected in cold wet soil. I've lost a few to early transplant through winter.
RobGA
Mame
The elm has really pushed out some leaves.
RobGA
Mame
Decided to do my first ever repot. So out of the pot and into the fire.
Bonsai Nut
Nuttier than your average Nut
For the remainder of this winter, treat it like a tropical. Stick it outside any time the mornings aren't going to be below 35F. Next winter just leave it out on your bench
RobGA
Mame
Able to get rid of those knarly surface roots, trim some roots and put in new soil, pumice, lava rock, pine bark and some of the original soil which looked to be in ok condition. Also added some xtreme mykos. Hope I’m doing this right.
RobGA
Mame
Finished product, not really finished by a long shot, but for today.
leatherback
The Treedeemer
happy in its new home.
leatherback
The Treedeemer
typo?
Or I do not understand why you would want to put this inside?
leatherback
The Treedeemer
No. It will not. This is a fully hardy species which in light frost will even keep its leaves.
Adamski77
Shohin
Totally outside… mine has small leaves already and was -2 celcius last night… unless goes to less then -5 celcius nothing to worry about…
Thanks for your reply.
