Elm Dig

[Damian79]

Hi Guys
My local club had arranged for a club dig in elm forest today on the outskirts of town, but mother nature had a different plan and decided to dump 48hours of non stop rain on us so me and another member took it upon ourselves to don the boots and jackets and visit said forest anyway and see what we could find .
This is what I managed to get before the rain was too heavy to hear each other talk.

elm 1.jpg

elm 2.jpg

elm 3.jpg

elm 4.jpg

I know the photos aren't that great so ill get some more when the rain eases and I get them into boxes.

[Andrew F]

WOW that last pic is going to make one wonderful raft mate, i am super jealous :O

[Olivecrazy]

YAY its digging season a great time of the year great to see more people out collecting

[alpineart]

Hi Damian79 , mate don't be afraid to leave the soil behind , they are dormant and it save a lot of work if done on site . That raft is a very nice specimen with a good root system ta-boot. Thanks for posting them up .

Cheers Alpine

[Damian79]

Extra pics as promised

elm 5.jpg

elm 6.jpg

elm 7.jpg

elm 8.jpg

elm 9.jpg

elm 10.jpg

Comments welcome

[Olivecrazy]

Im all ways on the look out for a natural looking tree where its looks like it has fallen over then continue to grow i would leave it just how it is for now let it recover an go from there. Check out google for raft bonsai to get some ideas as well you are very lucky to have found this tree give me give me i realy like unquie types off trees as they are ones that people remember

[Damian79]

Thanks OC
Im excited about this one. As soon as i saw it i had to have it.

[Damian79]

Hi Guys
Im wondering if I should chop these now or wait till next year?

trim.jpg

Im thinking of three larger trunks on the raft then making the whips on the left smaller in contrast to the main section.
Please give me your thoughts on this I have never attempted a raft style, so Im just wondering because the elm is dormant, should I do all the major work now before spring?
Cheers

[Dario]

Hi Damian, check out some of Robert Stevens raft/uprooted tree/forest compositions...sorry, no idea what they are called??
They are fantastic and this material may be suited to such a future design?
You will have to google though as I am in a rush and don't have time to post a link at the moment.
As Alpine said...bare root it (if you haven't done so) and you can trunk chop the main trunk lower.
Best to let it recover for a bit, but if you have a strong idea of the direction you wish to take it you can wire some of the smaller trunks for movement, otherwise leave it and do it once fully recovered.
I am not sure if I would chop the smaller trunks at this stage though (you may want them to thicken up?):2c:
Cheers, Dario.

[Olivecrazy]

Ill give a virt a go later tonight ive got a idea

[Damian79]

Thanks OC
Look forward to seeing it

[Jason]

Great find! Can't wait to go out on my first dig

Looking forward to seeing where you take it

[Damian79]

Good morning Guys
well im off again this morning to me new elm forrest to see what other goodies i can find. Its not pouring down today so I might spend a bit more time and try to find some quality trees. Ill post my progress later on today.
Damian

[pommie_mal]

Good luck with the dig Damian. Post a few pics of what you find.
Mal.

[kcpoole]

Ddi not see this one before, But if mine I wud chop low where you suggest now. they will back shoot well, and tdoing now will save you wasting a year when you can cut now

I got some today as well

Ken