Drastic prune chinese elm in august

[ThomasToft]

Hello.

Last year i posted about cutting back my elms, but decided to wait because i wanted to repot.
Now they are VERY bushy i kinda want to trim them.. all 3 have been repotted this spring and put on a lot of growth since.
The two outer trees is two seasons of growth beyond the silhouette. Is it safe to cut back at this time? Im planning to cut back to primary and thick secondary branches.

The middle one is going to have a trunkchop to become a broom. When would be the best time to do that? Winter/early spring? they are all currently standing in pumice and akadama

 

[penumbra]

It at least partially depends on your climate. Please post your location in your profile so we can be of further assistance.

 

[Jorgens86]

Isnt the safest way to cut them after they go dormant?

 

[Dabbler]

Isnt the safest way to cut them after they go dormant?

depends on climate and how much protection they need

 

[Jorgens86]

depends on climate and how much protection they need

If they are placed in cool garage or something like that.

 

[NeedlesAndLeaves]

Maybe those videos can be helpfull to you

 

[leatherback]

Most species I would hold of bigger pruning. However, with chinese elm I would not worry about still pruning assuming winter is still 6+ weeks away.
In my garden, healthy elms take about 2 weeks to open buds after pruning.