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"I don't think any tree survives totally under water (wich is what I mean) not even our mighty Red River gum"

Water elm (planera aquatica) survives quite well completely submerged for months. The best ones collected in La. are in a lake bed that is seasonlly flooded for four to six months a year. The trees there are underwater during that time.

However, if you are in a bad drought, these trees are extremely unlikely to survie collection--at least that's been my experience here in N. America. Drought stricken trees are stressed--digging them up will push them over the edge. With good rains, it will take a few years for the trees to be strong enough to be collected. Trees I have collected here in drought years and the year after a bad summer drought have a very low survival rate.

23-May-2006	#18
rockm bonsaiTALK ArchMaster Join Date: Oct-2003 Location: Fairfax, Va Country: USA USDA Zone: 7 AHS Heat Zone: ? Posts: 4,561	"I don't think any tree survives totally under water (wich is what I mean) not even our mighty Red River gum" Water elm (planera aquatica) survives quite well completely submerged for months. The best ones collected in La. are in a lake bed that is seasonlly flooded for four to six months a year. The trees there are underwater during that time. However, if you are in a bad drought, these trees are extremely unlikely to survie collection--at least that's been my experience here in N. America. Drought stricken trees are stressed--digging them up will push them over the edge. With good rains, it will take a few years for the trees to be strong enough to be collected. Trees I have collected here in drought years and the year after a bad summer drought have a very low survival rate.