Root Pruning a Chinese Elm

shaun22

I re-potted today a Chinese Elm tree, the roots were basically tied up in a knot. I removed about half the light roots, and left the major ones.

Is this right??

Thanks,
shaun22

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Jay

Shaun... the tree needs the fine roots. The larger roots are not as important as the fine ones. Hopefully you have left enough roots present for the tree to recover. If you removed 1/2 of the fine roots, you removed half of the roots period. Perhaps a wiser person than I will give you advise on how to recover from this situation. Be gentle with this tree, DO NOT overwater to make up for the loss of the roots. Good Luck!!

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denny

im not for sure,but i think the removal of some major roots is called for.its the tiny feeder roots that you need to keep more of.
hows the tree look?

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Denny
Still Growing in zone 9
So.Cal.

Bonsainut

Shaun,
That's the kinda a question you ask before you do it!!!! O well don't worry C-Elm is very forgiving and will pull thru. Next time comb out roots, cut back heavy and circling roots, and leave the fines ones longer.
Aim for a flat set of roots that radiate out from the trunk like the spokes of a wheel!

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Keep growing,---'Nut



Lethal Use of Farce

Tony

If you are in doubt whether or not you left enough feeder roots it would be a good idea to give the top growth a trim. Otherwise the tree may start killing off leaves and small branches that it can't support.

Tony

TreeBay

Good Idea Tony!

Or, Shaun, you could just do a partial defoliation. I beleaf you could just Leaf some Leafs on the finest branches only.

Regards,

Matt

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shaun22

Thank's guys for your help.

I snipped a few leaves off (some of which are starting to turn yellow) We'll see how it goes.

Next time I will ask before doing it. Im going to Adelaide for a week, so hopefully their minder looks after them!!

P.S. I went to a Bonsai farm today, it was my first, its surprising how big and beautiful they can actually get.

Im very interested in Forests! a forest of japanese Maple's (9) was $99 I would need to purchase the pot yet, but its a challenge, Ill post pictures of them when I get them for suggestiong.

Thanks Again,
shaun22

denny

leaf it to matt.

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Denny
Still Growing in zone 9
So.Cal.

bonsaial1

Reminds me of the last Beatle's album "Leaf it Be".

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