26 Year Old Chinese Elm (Ulmus Parvifolia) no Budding

[dirk hoorelbeke]

Big difference how it was treated before. Was it in greenhouse before you got it if yes, 20 Fahrenheit might be the reason. When you remove the bud, is it nice and green? If not, hope for sprouts from the trunk.

 

[sorce]

There is much to be said of acclamation.

Just because that tree can stand that weather.....doesn't mean it is prepared for it.....

Sorce

 

[Stickroot]

Big difference how it was treated before. Was it in greenhouse before you got it if yes, 20 Fahrenheit might be the reason. When you remove the bud, is it nice and green? If not, hope for sprouts from the trunk.

I would never let my elm get to 20 degrees, mine get to 28 but much lower and they don't do good at all! They recover very slowly.

 

[Redskins86]

I believe it was kept outside never know for sure. The buds aren't green so not good.

 

[CWTurner]

Nice looking tree, I hope it pulls through.
CW

 

[Redskins86]

Thanks CW. Yeah should have been more cautious and not gone with what I heard. It looks like it still has green in major branches and some small ones. The main trunk couldn't find green more of a light tan. Not familiar with elms so not sure if that's normal for a tree this big. If comes back will lose a lot of ramification I am guessing. I just don't want to lose the Nebari and trunk.

 

[Don Blackmond]

Green doesn't mean its alive. Its tough to say from the photos coupled with your description. Elms are tough though so the best course is to keep it outside and keep the soil moist. You can hit it with a light fertilizer. Full sun and hot would be good for a bit.

 

[Redskins86]

Thanks Don. Guess know way to know for sure but to just hope and wait.

 

[Redskins86]

If it makes I through should I just bring it inside this winter when temps go below 28-29f

 

[Redskins86]

How often should I use the fertilizer since there is no growth? I plant to keep soil moist not to wet. If it rains more than couple days would a plastic bag around the pot be a good idea?

 

[Don Blackmond]

If you have an unheated garage that is perfect for winter storage. I would not worry too much about rain overwatering it unless your soil is muck. Use some Osmocote. It releases when watered and is pretty tame on roots. This tree may sit dormant for awhile longer, then pop with new growth. Or, it may never wake up. Sometimes its a crapshoot.

 

[Redskins86]

Gotcha. New to bonsai but got addicted to quick. I was more protective of the younger trees they made it fine but the elm ....well you know the rest. It has a long big root at the base that seems like it is a little soft probably dead. The other ones are hard. Seems higher up the tree is more alive. The soil close to the tree might be old seems a little tight. Would you recommend reporting and cutting dead roots or leave it alone?

 

[Redskins86]

I live in a townhouse with a big tree shading most the front and a deck outback facing south to the woods. I have it on the deck now on a makeshift bench with cinder blocks and two 2x6s. Coldest part of the house is in the basement gets to around 50 with little no direct light since the deck is right outside. Hoping comes back because it's the best one. Most the others are under 10 years except a 20 year maple.

 

[dirk hoorelbeke]

Just leave it in the pot. Repotting might kill the only living roots. On the other hand leaving them between theire dying brothers is not optimal either. Do not over water, you can make a skirt with plastic a bit above the pot to stop the rain. No need to fertilize a tree that is not growing. You fertilize to give the growing tree something extra. They do not grow because we fertilize. It is not food for them. The sun is the source.

 

[Redskins86]

Roger that. Should I leave it out at night temps are 50 and average 60s low seventies right now during the day. Would putting a halogen light on it at night help or just let it be outside? Thank you for the advice. By what month or day is it safe to call it done? In Central MD zip 21044.

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Leave it outside.

 

[sorce]

By what month or day is it safe to call it done

People have had trees sit dormant or "dead" for almost a year and they've come back.....

No telling....

Sorce

 

[peterbone]

That would be a huge bummer. Guy at Brussels told me 15-20F.

I'm surprised that a guy in Brussels would even know how much 15-20F is. Are you sure that he didn't mean 15-20C?

 

[sorce]

Not the "terrorist" Brussels

The nursery.....

But I agree!

Sorce

 

[peterbone]

Oh ok. I did wonder how he got it home.