Did I kill it??

Elm237

Well I found this elm growing in my hedges and realized what a huge nice trunk it had so I decided to dig it up I ripped all the roots off except for the tap root {which was cut half way down},a side root with out any feeder roots and a another side root with a few feeder roots. It is a american elm so it is hardy but I don't know if it can handle this. It only had a few braches. I cut them off exept for one which has a lot of leaves. What can I do to help it survive?? I cant post a picture but I was wondering if you could tell me what to do to keep it alive. Any advice?? Thanks

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Elm237

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Joanie

If it was growing in your own hedges, and there was no hurry, why did you dig it out of season and in a hurry? You could have "spaded" it to encourage more feeder roots, and taken it when it was dormant, this winter or in the spring before bud burst.

Hope it gets better, but lesson learned?

Joanie

Will_Heath

Not only did you take off most the roots but then you added insult to injury and ripped off most the branches as well...

I would put it directly into the ground and forget it for a year or two. American elms are good budders and the sucker well also, with luck it will throw out new growth. Do do anything else to it, except water when needed.

Next time try removing the tap root and lreaving the rest and try not to cut back the foliage as much if at all.


Will

BonsaiGreenhorn

Yeah. "ripping" the roots out isn't the best idea. This can stop growth in the that root, slow down the root healing process by alot, and sometimes even kill that specific root completely. This is why when we root-prune we try to use some of the sharpest material possible for the quickest healing procise cuts.

I hope this guy makes it.
Good Luck.
-Evan

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Elm237

Definitly lesson learned. I saw the tree and got all worked up over the size of the trunk and went mad with my shovel.I did not intentionally rip off the roots I am not that stupid-I hope. We all make mistakes, I just happened to make a big one. I am not going to mess with it except to water it for a year or so, it is all ready in the ground. Should I water it more than normal though since it doesn't have alot of roots? Well talk about stupidy! Thanks for responding.

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Elm237

Will_Heath

No, the fact that it doesn't have a lot of roots is exactly why you do not want to over water it.


Will

shibumi

Hi ELM,
I was wondering what part of Ohio you reside in? If we are close enough perhaps we could get together and learn a few things from each other? Send me a private message [PM] if you wish and don't be too hard on your self for being 'over zeleous' :~)
Tim

Aaron_K

This ironically reinforces points made by myself and many others in the collecting trees from the wild thread. Although it was in your yard.. the same principles of collection stand.

Good to hear it is a lesson learned Elm and I hope the tree survives. Patience is the best tool you will ever equip yourself with in bonsai. Once you have that... you are half way there.

Will wrote a very good article on collecting trees from the wild which might prove useful to you in the future.

Wild Collecting 101

All the best,

Aaron

Elm237

Well guy's I have good news. It has been 2 weeks since I dug up that Elm. It has not lost any of its remaining leaves. I am very happy I think that it will pull through .Is it still possible for it to lose it leaves and die? Well cheers.

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Elm237