How much to prune for hot summer?

[green_emi]

Hi guys!
I'm about to give my chinese elm its first prune of the year (was bare-rooted this spring, had a small first flush and later a strong second), i was wondering how much to prune off of it now.
What i mostly want to know is what is best for a tree in very hot and dry summers? They use foliage for transpiration don't they? In that case, leaving a lot of foliage will help the tree cool itself? Or does less foliage put less stress on a root system that is probably still rebuilding itself?
Thanks for any advice

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Any photos?

 

[green_emi]

 

[green_emi]

Any photos?

Sure! im still trying to learn how to post photos, i hope i did that correctly

 

[sorce]

I would love to know the story behind those ...are they gas meters? WT!

It seems a pruning of the top could be in order.
You don't want those high branches fatter than the low ones, and it seems they are already. So you may need to severely prune the top only, all summer, to get the balance back.

Certainly don't trim only the bottom.
Pruning everywhere will allow the problem to get slightly worse.

Sorce

 

[HorseloverFat]

Nice elm... loosely resembles the “dancing dragon” style. From the Sichuan school’s discipline of penzai... this method emphasized an s-shaped, twist-like trunk. This (In my opinion) is an adaptation that stayed or “stuck” with the generalized perception of “bonsai” and forces VERY strong feelings on either side of the issue.

As for your question, i am not familiar with this tree, nor raising trees in Spain.... someone most definitely will hop in for “the assist”, just wanted yo share these thoughts about your tree.

 

[green_emi]

I would love to know the story behind those ...are they gas meters? WT!

It seems a pruning of the top could be in order.
You don't want those high branches fatter than the low ones, and it seems they are already. So you may need to severely prune the top only, all summer, to get the balance back.

Certainly don't trim only the bottom.
Pruning everywhere will allow the problem to get slightly worse.

Sorce

Im not sure what part you think are gas meters sorry!
The top is a real mess and will have to redone at some point, cutting the nub and chosing a new apex (probably next spring). My prority was to get to get the tree in proper soil, start sorting out the roots. Im rebuiling the first branch so I'll let that shoot grow for now. I was told to not touch the tree too much to let it regain strength after the bare-root but i think i should prune back a little. I just wasnt sure how much. A little off the top, a little all over? Seeing as summer is starting here im just curious what would the tree prefer in hot weather

 

[green_emi]

Nice elm... loosely resembles the “dancing dragon” style. From the Sichuan school’s discipline of penzai... this method emphasized an s-shaped, twist-like trunk. This (In my opinion) is an adaptation that stayed or “stuck” with the generalized perception of “bonsai” and forces VERY strong feelings on either side of the issue.

As for your question, i am not familiar with this tree, nor raising trees in Spain.... someone most definitely will hop in for “the assist”, just wanted yo share these thoughts about your tree.
View attachment 305752

View attachment 305753

Oh thanks! I didn't know where the abundance of S shaped elms came from! What a cool name. Some nice photos there with lots of inspiration for future branch structure

 

[HorseloverFat]

Oh thanks! I didn't know where the abundance of S shaped elms came from! What a cool name. Some nice photos there with lots of inspiration for future branch structure

Indeed.. i feel that a rounded knowledge of horticultural/Tiny Tree art (not JUST “bonsai”) is most fundamental in understanding the processes in which we think about our trees.

Best wishes.

 

[sorce]

just wasnt sure how much. A little off the top, a little all over? Seeing as summer is starting here im just curious what would the tree prefer in hot weather

We just always must remember this is a dance between horticulture and design.

It only matters what the tree wants until it wants to ruin your design.

Sorce

 

[HorseloverFat]

(((More-on-what-I-said-itis))

I know that in “Bonsai”s history, the S-shaped trunks got “ground in” to common language and techniques by “the Moyogi Pine”...

It just SEEMS to me that the Sichuan’s teaching of the “dancing dragon” influenced this “train of thought” during China and Japan’s “exchange”.... not sure, though.

 

[green_emi]

We just always must remember this is a dance between horticulture and design.

It only matters what the tree wants until it wants to ruin your design.

Sorce

Well I'll try and learn the horticulture so i know how far i can push design!

 

[sorce]

Right on!

Sorce

 

[Shibui]

Back to the original Q. The cooling aspect does not seem to be critical but water use can be. Probably more relevant to prune for good design and shape rather than for the weather.
Chinese elm are really tolerant and will cope well with hot conditions. Mine see temps over 40C for days at a time in our summer. Proper watering is critical though. You will need to make sure the pot is wet right through each time you water the tree. I water every morning and every evening in summer. My trees are outside in the sun but smaller ones get some shade in the hottest months.
If it does get too dry the tree can drop leaves to conserve water. If they get water soon usually grow new shoots.
Good to see that this one is outside in fresh air and sun.

 

[green_emi]

Back to the original Q. The cooling aspect does not seem to be critical but water use can be. Probably more relevant to prune for good design and shape rather than for the weather.
Chinese elm are really tolerant and will cope well with hot conditions. Mine see temps over 40C for days at a time in our summer. Proper watering is critical though. You will need to make sure the pot is wet right through each time you water the tree. I water every morning and every evening in summer. My trees are outside in the sun but smaller ones get some shade in the hottest months.
If it does get too dry the tree can drop leaves to conserve water. If they get water soon usually grow new shoots.
Good to see that this one is outside in fresh air and sun.

Thanks! I'm trying to get used to the new soil and i see i will indeed have to water twice a day in the hottest months. Does yours go dormant in the summer? Last summer my elm didn't have any growth until october when the temps cooled down. I feel like mine is healthier this year so that could be different. My question was based on the fact that this elm had a pretty poor root system that hopefully has improved since some root pruning and better soil, and i was wondering if these limited roots affect how much foliage i should leave on the it. I might be over thinking it... But knowing that your tree does fine with those high temperatures with good watering makes me feel like mine will be just fine!
I will probably move it from its south facing window-sill to a west facing one in the hottest months.
Thanks for the advice!

 

[Shibui]

I would not say my elms go dormant in summer. Growth does slow down but there is always some growing tips.
I know that your South will be sunny most of the day but West facing will have the hottest sun of the day. Not the best for any plant in a small pot. Any way to get some shade for the intense afternoon sun?
You will also have to battle reflected light and heat from the windows. I have no experience with that but I suspect it could cause you some difficulties.

 

[Forsoothe!]

Elms need sun but the roots can be shaded to cool the pot. Whatever you fashion has to let air pass over the pot. A board leaning against the outboard side of the pot, or a couple bricks stacked to be inbetween the sun and the pot would work. The trunk doesn't need sun, so the shield can be higher than the edge of the pot. Whatever it is will also be a sail in the wind, so be careful.

 

[just.wing.it]

Elms need sun but the roots can be shaded to cool the pot. Whatever you fashion has to let air pass over the pot. A board leaning against the outboard side of the pot, or a couple bricks stacked to be inbetween the sun and the pot would work. The trunk doesn't need sun, so the shield can be higher than the edge of the pot. Whatever it is will also be a sail in the wind, so be careful.

I've often thought of old t-shirts wrapped around the pot, soaked with water for some evaporative cooling as well

not sure what part you think are gas meters sorry

I think @sorce is referring to those two strange things on the wall across the way there....on the windows...?
My eye also immediately went to them.

 

[sorce]

two strange things

Contraptionalized!

It look like some kind of retro fit, makes me wonder how old the building is.
Ah yes, your rent is, the same, but have this in your view! Lol! That's Chicago that's Chicago.

Sorce

 

[Forsoothe!]

..."I've often thought of old t-shirts wrapped around the pot, soaked with water for some evaporative cooling as well"...

As long as we're exporting Hillbilly solutions, the top of an old commode tank would be perfect. Reflective white ceramic and heavy enough not to be blown off the second story ledge. And it being white would probably be within the code restrictions for white window dressings, too. A two-fer!