How much trunk chop is too much? (Ulmus americana)

[TrimmyWhimmy]

Elm roots even have the capacity to grow new buds and shoots. We often propagate elms from root cuttings. As @shohin_branches says, even cutting below ground level it will probably still grow back and, again, size is not a factor.

I found a Chinese Elm growing from a root I accidentally dropped on the ground during my last repot...

 

[shohin_branches]

I grew some Siberian elm root cuttings this year and one ended up variegated.

https://flic.kr/p/2qfKKrE

 

[ETN_bonsai]

Thanks for all the replies and information fellas. I really appreciate it. I’ll be sure to do a follow up post when I pull the tree.

In a few years, I’ll give the one growing on my property a big chop and see how that goes. I’m thinking I’d like to try to collect it when it gets to the 6-8” thick realm. I might take some air layers in the mean time and try to get some interesting material from them.

 

[leatherback]

fyi; I went through my growfield last week and made a little video about aot trunk chopping and reasoning.

 

[ETN_bonsai]

fyi; I went through my growfield last week and made a little video about aot trunk chopping and reasoning.

I just watched that video last night actually.
Nice grow beds you have. My wife and I were fortunate enough to buy some land before the pandemic and local property prices sailed upwards. I hope to emulate what I saw in your video at some point.

 

[rodeolthr]

I grew some Siberian elm root cuttings this year and one ended up variegated.

https://flic.kr/p/2qfKKrE

Let's hope it maintains its variegation this spring when it leafs out. I'm unaware of a variegated Siberian elm.

 

[shohin_branches]

Let's hope it maintains its variegation this spring when it leafs out. I'm unaware of a variegated Siberian elm.

Fingers crossed. I'm hoping it will be stable but only time will tell.