Poured concrete around the base of my elm to encourage radial roots

[Tieball]

So I get it, but if the roots are to be on top of the concrete, how do you remove the tree and new roots once they've sprouted? I don't see how you get a saw between the new roots and the concrete...might be me, cause I'm kinda slow sometimes.

Chisel crack apart the concrete I’d guess. A thinner layer of concrete would be a little easier to remove….this is fairly thick though. I might be overthinking the removal process. I’ve cracked up a concrete patio before….4” concrete, and the concrete kept winning the battle.

A soil covering for roots to grow into would help my imagination. I think I’ll just wait for the progress update and learn something new.

 

[namnhi]

I honestly thinking this create more work than a normal ground layer. There is no guarantee the roots will be better than the other methods. It's fun to see what other bonsai people do....

 

[RJG2]

Has no one looked at @NaoTK's thread that was linked? Looked like he broke the concrete pretty easily (a few taps with a rock).

I can't imagine it would take more than a couple whacks of a hammer.

 

[Dav4]

The only thing I can think of concerning this thread is that it was posted exactly one day late... .

 

[BonsaiMatt]

The idea is to NOT cover it with soil at first, and allow it to swell, creating additional taper at the base. Then you can cut a ring of bark off and cover with substrate to layer it off. Andrea Mergolli talks about it in his book on maples.

Best of luck!

 

[Orion_metalhead]

The idea is to NOT cover it with soil at first, and allow it to swell, creating additional taper at the base. Then you can cut a ring of bark off and cover with substrate to layer it off. Andrea Mergolli talks about it in his book on maples.

Best of luck!

Interesting...

 

[BillsBayou]

I'm going to cover the concrete at the right time.

So I get it, but if the roots are to be on top of the concrete, how do you remove the tree and new roots once they've sprouted? I don't see how you get a saw between the new roots and the concrete...might be me, cause I'm kinda slow sometimes.

That's a problem for Future Bill. I can already hear him bitching about how much work it is. However, using my MK-101 wet tile saw will likely come in handy.

 

[BillsBayou]

Where exactly are you expecting the new roots to develop? …Above the pebble surface? Into air?

I'm waiting for the trunk to begin swelling at the concrete before actually encouraging new roots to grow.

Here's the idea: Right now the roots beneath the concrete are fully employed. If I cover the base now, the trunk will grow only a few roots above the concrete. So waiting for the trunk to begin to swell is part of the plan. When the trunk swells (into the air) the concrete will beging choking the trunk. The need for new roots will be greater. Exposing the trunk to moist soil at that time should result in more new roots than if I soil it up right now.