What do I do with an Elm this size?

Heebeegeebees

With an elm this size, should I try to start shaping/trimming the branches? Or should I just let it grow out as is and let everything thicken up? It's about 18'' tall....Take it easy.

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Aaron_K

Hi Heebee,

At the moment, its pretty much a stick in a pot as it lacks taper. Nothing that increased rootspace, time and a future trunk chop wont sort though. Personally, I'd put it in a larger container or plant it in the ground/growbed for a good few years and let it do its own thing.

All the best,

Aaron

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Heebeegeebees

Aaron, thanks. I sorta figured that. As for the trunk chop, I wasn't crazy about the 'S' shape anyway. I imagine I should wait for warmer weather to put it outside right?

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Go out on a limb, isn't that where the fruit is?

Aaron_K

Hi again Heebee,

I don't know what the night time temperatures are dipping down to in your neck of the woods but, with you being in zone 5b, I should imagine its still pretty chilly there?

If the tree has been kept indoors, yeah I'd wait for the warmer weather has arrived and the night temperatures are staying well away from 32f, purely to avoid shocking the tree needlessly. I'd then leave it outside permanently thereafter, taking care to ensure that adequate winter protection was given, unheated garage, greenhouse, or if planted in the ground, mulching etc.

All the best,

Aaron

__________________
Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. - Muriel Strode

Vulpes pilum mutat, non mores!

"A fox may change its skin but never its character"

Heebeegeebees

It was a greenhouse tree, and it is pretty cold up here in NY. So I'll wait until May or so to put it out.....Take it easy.

__________________
Go out on a limb, isn't that where the fruit is?

Mcspeed

I agree with Aaron, it's in need of a chop for taper, and some growing out time.

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rockm

It needs some growing out time THEN a trunk chop...

All in all, it's really what you want the tree to be. You can grow out the trunk, chop it back, hard prune the branches to make it a smaller tree. Any of these techniques will produce a bonsai. It's up to you to determine what your final vision of the tree is...then apply the right techniques to get there.