AusBonsai

Should I wait till spring or can I do it now?
Was thinking on top of the 1st branch on the left and bending that branch up.
Any advice would be great.

Thanks Ross

You'd be better off saving it for winter.. No need to shock the tree and risk killing it when you can just wait a few months.. In the life I a tree which should live 400 years, a few months ain't long to wait.

Adam

stocaz wrote:Should I wait till spring or can I do it now?
Was thinking on top of the 1st branch on the left and bending that branch up.
Any advice would be great.

Thanks Ross

Hi Ross,
Not quite sure where you mean. Because these are so slow would the area you are thinking of removing be worthwhile air layering?

Regards Ray

Webos wrote:You'd be better off saving it for winter.. No need to shock the tree and risk killing it when you can just wait a few months.. In the life I a tree which should live 400 years, a few months ain't long to wait.

Adam

Don't want to kill the tree that's for sure ! Just a little confused (as usual) on the best time to do it.

So is late winter the best time ?

Ray M wrote: Hi Ross,
Not quite sure where you mean. Because these are so slow would the area you are thinking of removing be worthwhile air layering?

Regards Ray

I was thinking of chopping on top of the lowest branch on the left hand side & bending it up as the new leader.
Air layer could be an option, I've tried it on another elm I have with poor results so I'm not that keen on doing it.

Thanks Ross

If you really want to trunk chop, wait until early spring when you see the new buds and first flush of growth.

Personally I think you've got a decent trunk (if not tree) to work with, and would be a shame to turn a trunk into a stump. You could consider reducing the branches back to the primary, or if you feel they're too thick for the tree, remove and start the branching again. At least if you start with the least drastic first, you've got less to regret Food for thought

I'm not sure the 1st left branch is good option - the sharp angle from the trunk, followed by the reverse upwards angle so quickly - it's too thick, I think, to bend or straighten… It might be possible to use the back branch as the continuing trunk line, but you have a lot of growing on to make it blend in, and then do more complex things further up.

Another option might be to cut the centre trunk out, and use both the left branch and the back branch, one for the trunk and one for the first branch - strong angle at that point either way, but that's not a bad thing. Then ground-grow it to get some serious thickening in the trunk continuation.

Possibly re-try layering - it should work so long as the mix doesn't dry out or stay soggy - there's a lot of useful material higher up. Ground-growing cuttings might be a good use for the stuff you cut off. All probably best late winter, before it shoots.

I can't see the way the roots sit on the ground - this may determine what is best to do with the top. Late winter, bare root it, and twist it around to see which angles have the best potential.

Best of luck,

Gavin

Thank you all for your responses,personally I don't mind the trunk it's just the branches are too thick & leggy.
I'll sit tight for a while and try to figure out what my options are.
Cheers Ross