A Silver Elm (Ulmus carpinifolia variegata)
Started from a cutting about 15 years ago. Ground grown for about half that time.
It's a real mess so I'm going to take my time with each branch.
It has many faults. The biggest by far is the apex (but I'll get to that later)
Other problems are the abrupt taper which I can't do much about and the severe lack of movement in every single branch. (I hate a straight line!!)
Most will need to be removed.
Right side (below)
Back
Left side
The first branch on the left after about 1/2 hour. Almost all the fine branches removed as well.
The main branch on the right had to be cracked before it would give. But so be it!
Main branch finished.....1 hour so far......
The Apex. Big problem here. Not only is it too straight, There are no branches down the stem and there is a huge ugly swelling.
Decided to brake out the brach splitter and remove half.
The front of the apex branch. Wired and twisted clockwize , out and up. Best I could do with this one. My big concern is that I may have cut off the supply of sap with the twisting. We will see but if it dies I will have to grow a whole new top
Finished. 4 hours later
Your tree distracted me from the match box... I will look harder next time.
