Collected elm

[RNbonsai]

hello, I live in north Texas, Dallas area.
I collected this elm today from a wooded area that was getting bulldozed tomorrow.

It had already leafed out and I was not able to get many roots with it. It looks like a winged elm and elms near it all had those wings, but I am very new to this so I won't be betting anyone money on it.

My question is should I leave the leaves on, defoliate or trunk job low.

So far I have potted it, watered it and put into a shaded area.

Any advice appreciated thanks!

 

[aml1014]

Defoliate it ASAP, if there's not much roots they won't do a good job of supplying the leaves with moisture. Elms are super tough so it's very possible it will live.I collected 2 elms last Tuesday that were in full leaf, they were large enough so when I chopped them there were no leaves left. They are budding as of today.

Aaron

 

[sorce]

Any advice

getting bulldozed tomorrow.

Next time....
Find out when tomorrow, and bring the operater a dozen doughnuts, have them dig it for you!

I reckon it will live.

Sorce

 

[RNbonsai]

Yes I need to find the bulldozer forum and bribe them! I totally would.

Ok, I'll defoliate it tonight then, anyone advise otherwise?

 

[BethF]

Looks like it has a nice curve at the base of the trunk. Chop it either right above that old branch knob on the right or right above where the trunk stops curving to the left.

 

[RNbonsai]

Wow I can chop it that low? That'll still leave those two tiny branches down low, should I cut them off then?

 

[RNbonsai]

I want to give it the best chance to
1) survive
2) be a good bonsai

 

[Ross]

If you want it to survive I would just pot it up and leave as much root as possible. Keep it in the shade and out of the wind for a month. Wire it into the pot. Don't mess with it otherwise.

 

[RNbonsai]

Ross- do you recommend doing anything with the leaves? Defoliate or chop?
I was not able to get very many roots with it, but didn't get a pic of them

 

[RNbonsai]

I'm going to let it sit through the night and wait on more replies.

 

[M. Frary]

Looks like it has a nice curve at the base of the trunk. Chop it either right above that old branch knob on the right or right above where the trunk stops curving to the left.

I can't say about winged or cedar elms but if it were American or Siberian elm I would do this now.
It's already been collected out of season but not much. So why not go for the gusto? See what it's made of. This way you will know for sure if it can be done if the need ever arises again.

 

[Ross]

It looks like you've got it dug up and potted, so I wouldn't worry about it at all for a while. Gently introduce it back out into the sun if it survives. You really don't want to be moving it or shaking it around at all until it has a chance to anchor itself into the pot with roots, could take the whole growing season. I wouldn't "chop" it because it has no real strength right now. You didn't get a lot of roots, and sawing it down is going to disturb the roots even further. Also, it needs those leaves to generate energy for new roots.

 

[aml1014]

Here's the thread on mine I'll update tomorrow with pics of the budding. http://www.bonsainut.com/threads/ulmus-pumila.22438/

Aaron

 

[sorce]

I'm with Ross on this one.

You need a lot of roots for it to grow well.
You need leaves to grow roots.

Even if they shrivel and die, that elm is going to use every last bit of energy it can gain from them before they fall.

http://www.bonsainut.com/threads/water-commision-elm.19469/

Besides that.....I'm becoming more and more anti bare chop.
A bare chop needs to set buds, etc.
A chop to a bud needs to branch, etc.
A chop to a branch jumps right to etc,
Which is healing the chop!

In your drier longer growing season, it's probly not as critical.

But, I think a goal of having no chops exposed to winter is good to have.
1 year healing.

Sorce

 

[Milly]

Check out this thread http://www.bonsainut.com/threads/chuhin-broom-elm.22848/
See how little roots MarkyScott left on there a year ago?

Elms can survive with very little roots this early in your season. Chop low down as suggested by BethF to give a good start and wire the tree securely into the pot.

 

[Ross]

Check out this thread http://www.bonsainut.com/threads/chuhin-broom-elm.22848/
See how little roots MarkyScott left on there a year ago?

Elms can survive with very little roots this early in your season. Chop low down as suggested by BethF to give a good start and wire the tree securely into the pot.

Milly are you speaking from experience or just relating things you've read elsewhere? In the last 8 years I've collected and grown dozens of these trees in Dallas, and I haven't ever killed any except one that I worked on out of season.

 

[RNbonsai]

Just saw you were from Dallas Ross. I'll follow your recommendation. She is just sitting on the shelf for now.
Thanks,

 

[M. Frary]

It lived!

 

[Ross]

This one didn't live.

 

[Milly]

Milly are you speaking from experience or just relating things you've read elsewhere? In the last 8 years I've collected and grown dozens of these trees in Dallas, and I haven't ever killed any except one that I worked on out of season.

I'm speaking from experience.