AusBonsai

Good idea or not? I've got a smallish chinese elm i'm eyeing off, and while it's the middle of the growing season, i'm tempted to go and grab it to make sure it doesn't get pulled out and disposed of.

Does anyone know what are the ramifications of collecting, possibly bare rooting and repotting right now at the tail end of spring with deciduous? Is it likely to be fatal to the plant or will it just lose the rest of the season's growth? Note i could probably get away with waiting til next winter, i'm just a tad impatient.

Thanks,
Matti

Hi Birchman , it is hit and miss when collecting during the growing season , however i would pump it full of water and dig the next day or two .You may loose a bit of vigour or it may drop all its leaves .Put it this way , you don't have it so you don't have anything to loose .I would caution on bare rooting or root pruning , if its small dig a big root-ball , pot up and it will have root run .Cheers Alpineart

As suggested, I would try and disturb the rootball as little as possible.
If you do wish to touch the roots, I’d suggest defoliating first. But would be best to leave the roots at this time of year.

All good advice Birchman. Although i have collected English elm this time of year without problems i am in Victoria and the weather is a little more humid. When you dig it spray the roots to saturation with seasol(in recommended dilatation) and wrap it in a damp sheet or towel while transporting. It should be fine. keep us posted.

Well i'm glad you guys understand it's a matter of "when" rather than "if" It's normally impossible to ignore once i get an idea like this in my head.

Sounds like it's doable, i'll probably dig it in the next week and be sure to keep it damp. Fortunately we're having a spell of cooler, cloudier weather just now.

I once pulled an elm out of the ground trimmed all the roots to bare stump potted up with sandy soil and that was done in jan and the tree is now very healthy with smaller leaves . I later changed my mind about design of the shape so i put the tree to the ground and hopefully i will have a much bigger trunk in five year time .
Be brave go for it

Cheers
Andrew

I have dug them this time of the year, here with out any problems just a matter of aftercare. One had a base of 20cm a height of 3 mtres.

Since been sold on I am told it is thriving.

Cheers Pup