Root Over Rock Cascade Elm

[MelaQuin]

This was the odd tree out in a group setting - it had far smaller leaves than the others. When I disbanded the group I made the scrappy informal upright into a cascade but it never seemed to cut the mustard hanging over the side of a pot. I had the right rock [believe it or not] and paired the two. I drilled two holes in the rock and #4 wire curls around the base of the pot and the two wire 'legs' slot into holes drilled in the base of the rock. The wire is held firmly in place by the weight of the soil and the rock sits on the surface of the soil. There is no room in the pot for the rock to be buried.

This elm is the first to lose its leaves and the first to shoot in spring so it is starting the annual shed at the moment. The rock has natural grooves at the back that the roots sit in as much as any elm root will sit next to a rock. Tridents they definitely aren't. I have tried to get the tail closer to the pot but it is extremely difficult to get wire around the branch where it will do any good and rather than risk breaking the main branch I let it go as it is.

Elm cascade 2010-04 1.jpg

Elm Cascade 2010-04 2.jpg

Elm cascade 2010-04 3.jpg

Elm Cascade 2010-04 4.jpg

[kvan64]

Wow Mel, definitely an inspiration for my elm. I'm looking for a suitable rock for mine.
Thanks for sharing.
DK

[Jamie]

nice mel this elm is a lot larger than i first thought, it is going well nice!

[stymie]

Delicious.

[kvan64]

Delicious.

Yea, the roots look like Chinese Ginseng roots
Anyway, great example for people like myself to learn from.

[IS2SXC]

your trees are amazing very inspiring

[MelaQuin]

The tree is under 30 cm.