AusBonsai

Please any help is highly appreciated on what todo with this tree!


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1. Why is an elm of any sort under plastic in Melbourne? I can understand the fig in protection but most other species should be out in the weather.

2. Assuming you are correct on the ID and this is a zelkova (it does look like it is at the moment):
I'm told that in Japan, zelkova is only grown in broom style which needs a perfect, upright trunk with good nebari. I'm sure that this tree would be thrown out over there.

Assuming that you want to continue with this as an 'outside the square' zelkova -
-Bury the roots so it looks more stable. I would also try to initiate more roots to improve the nebari.
-Cut back or remove the 2 strong upright branches. The trunk has lots of features and a little movement but those 2 branches have no taper or character. They do not look like they belong to the trunk below. I think that trunk deserves branches that are shorter, probably twisted or with lots of bends.

Like all art, there will be lots of opinions, some conflicting - and no-one can claim to be 100% right but that's my

wow- looks like the the treeminater has visited this poor little fella-----but that can also be a positive cos now it has plenty of character to build on---as shibui said deal with the nebari--(i would bury deeper in a grow pot)---remove those two strong upper trunks(branches)-put out in the weather(sunshine)--hopefully a branch will pop below the righthand hole and lots of other places as well

shibui wrote:1. Why is an elm of any sort under plastic in Melbourne? I can understand the fig in protection but most other species should be out in the weather.

2. Assuming you are correct on the ID and this is a zelkova (it does look like it is at the moment):
I'm told that in Japan, zelkova is only grown in broom style which needs a perfect, upright trunk with good nebari. I'm sure that this tree would be thrown out over there.

Assuming that you want to continue with this as an 'outside the square' zelkova -
-Bury the roots so it looks more stable. I would also try to initiate more roots to improve the nebari.
-Cut back or remove the 2 strong upright branches. The trunk has lots of features and a little movement but those 2 branches have no taper or character. They do not look like they belong to the trunk below. I think that trunk deserves branches that are shorter, probably twisted or with lots of bends.

Like all art, there will be lots of opinions, some conflicting - and no-one can claim to be 100% right but that's my

I've repotted it 3 weeks ago and I did cut aggressively the roots...regarding nebari yes that is my intention but I understood it after I repotted... so I was thinking of waiting next spring not to upset too much the tree? It was in a greenhouse because it was recovering from repotting.... I thought was a good idea after repotting to keep it there for 2/3 weeks? Is it not a good idea? I've cut the 2 branches and it is out of the greenhouse now. Photos to follow if everything goes well!


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tgward wrote:wow- looks like the the treeminater has visited this poor little fella-----but that can also be a positive cos now it has plenty of character to build on---as shibui said deal with the nebari--(i would bury deeper in a grow pot)---remove those two strong upper trunks(branches)-put out in the weather(sunshine)--hopefully a branch will pop below the righthand hole and lots of other places as well

Thank you, yes when repotting I found 4 white caterpillars with a black head that where eating the bark and roots


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Hi pureheart , they sound like curl grubs if they were in the mix ? With this trunk I would split it down the middle through the hole and make it into 2 rafts . Wire the 2 roots down into the soil sitting the split trunk section at soil level and fasten the split middle apex down into the mix as well . I have had very little luck with back budding even on severely chopped Japanese Elms , unlike the Chinese Elms which is a prolific back budder . As Shibui said No Wrongs or Rights here with this one .

Cheers . Alpineart

alpineart wrote:Hi pureheart , they sound like curl grubs if they were in the mix ? With this trunk I would split it down the middle through the hole and make it into 2 rafts . Wire the 2 roots down into the soil sitting the split trunk section at soil level and fasten the split middle apex down into the mix as well . I have had very little luck with back budding even on severely chopped Japanese Elms , unlike the Chinese Elms which is a prolific back budder . As Shibui said No Wrongs or Rights here with this one .

Cheers . Alpineart

Thank you Alpineart ! I was wondering about splitting the trunk but being a noob I wasn't sure... I'm struggling to understand what you are suggesting but I'll read it again and again until I'll get it.... what tool do you use to split the trunk?


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Hi Mate , If you don't have a trunk splitter in your kit you can use a sharp saw and rip the trunk down . A chisel or a sharp thick blade knife gently tapped with a hammer from the top of the middle trunk down through the main trunk through the hollowed section , down through the base between the roots . Each trunk will then have 2 roots and be a mirror reverse of each other where split . Then simply lay it flat into mix and wire the top and roots down and cover with soil .

Hope this helps .

Cheers . Alpine

alpineart wrote:Hi Mate , If you don't have a trunk splitter in your kit you can use a sharp saw and rip the trunk down . A chisel or a sharp thick blade knife gently tapped with a hammer from the top of the middle trunk down through the main trunk through the hollowed section , down through the base between the roots . Each trunk will then have 2 roots and be a mirror reverse of each other where split . Then simply lay it flat into mix and wire the top and roots down and cover with soil .

Hope this helps .

Cheers . Alpine

Thank you Alpine, are you saying that after splitting the trunk in two I have to lay it flat in soil on the side I've cut? What will I be achieving with this? Sorry I'm lost....


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Hi pureheat , you will be creating 2 unique raft style Zelkova's . Laying the cut side down into the soil but dont cover the main trunk completely , this will stimulate root growth as per layering .

Any shoots along the length of the trunk from roots to leader are trained as individual trunks , any branches from the original upright tree now , could be wired into upright trunks now , beginning a raft now .

It may take time but with the original 2 roots on each raft it will survive and grow , it creates new roots along the cut sections and hopefully a few new shoots along the old trunk and leader .

Uniquely different .

Cheers Alpineart

Thanks mate I get it now I didn't know about raft style but I do now! I'll keep u updated!


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