Ditch Water El

[gergwebber]

I just got this elm from a ditch. And that title was not a typo; is it bad to name a bonsai before a year has passed?

anyway, I think it will grow for a while. But eventually I will try to use the natural y and surrounding twigs for an informal broom. Is that larger upright too big? I am not sure yet. I think I need to take advantage of that element.

 

[discusmike]

Not bad for a drainage ditch tree,if it were mine id probably chop low and regrow with some taper and movement.

 

[gergwebber]

I don't have any brooms yet. And it will just grow for a year anyhow.

I Just thought that the natural V was what caught my attention in the first place so might as well work with that?

but do you all think that the V-ing branches are too big already? Obviously I will bring them both down to with in an inch or two of the split, then clip and grow from there. I am also thinking I will keep the twigs below the V. I guess it will stress the informal side of the informal broom?

 

[gergwebber]

ditch water UPDATE: Airlayer

So I decided to go with an airlayer in the top of this tree. I started the layer the last week of December, that was about a month before leaf out this year. I have seen roots growing for a few weeks now, and some are starting to harden off.

Does anyone form a similar zone (Sunset 14) have any advice as to when I should take the layer off? I was thinking fall would be the safest bet, but I might think about early June if I think there are enough roots to get it through the summer.

 

[gergwebber]

Here are a few more pics of the layer, and what will be left.

I think it is an american elm, but in the area, there are American elms, Chinese, and English. I think Chinese is out of the question... any ID thoughts?

 

[Paradox]

Grats on that successful air layer. It looks like there are a ton of new roots in there now. If so, then it should be safe to separate and plant it; if not then wait.

Id also save the lower trunk and even chop it a bit lower than the branches to rebuild taper. Maybe leave that lowest branch on the right and wire up for a new leader.

You might end up with a pretty nice tree some day.

 

[evmibo]

Congrats on the air layer. I love elms. I'd say you're good to cut it. Because of large double serrations in the leaves, my guess would be American elm, Ulmus americana.

 

[gergwebber]

Double serrations, thanks! I had not noticed that. Is that a strong indicator its U. americana?

 

[evmibo]

Not exactly, because it seems that English elm Ulmus procera also has doubly serrated leaves. Typically, from what I gather is the U. americana leaves are a bit more narrow, it seems like the serrations in U. americana tend to stay larger (what I was alluding to before), but there are variations so it's still tough to tell.. Perhaps someone else will chime in, but I'm still leaning towards American elm.

 

[Zach Smith]

Here are a few more pics of the layer, and what will be left.

I think it is an american elm, but in the area, there are American elms, Chinese, and English. I think Chinese is out of the question... any ID thoughts?

Definitely an American elm. There are a few ways to tell, but the shape of the leaf tip and how the leaf ends at the tip asymmetrically are dead giveaways.

Zach