The hopeful elm progression thread

[BonsaiManic]

I've been eyeing these elms (Siberian?) for several months. Finally found out the owner of the empty lots and got permission. Not the first choice for collecting season with these, but the owner/developer wasn't sure about a timetable for clearing the land. I got the green light Friday, so this afternoon/evening found myself digging them in the rain (FINALLY! YAY!).
I only got the 3 small trees before the darkness and lightning brought me to my senses. I plan to take the 2 big ones after work tomorrow, assuming the ground is not too saturated for the lower tree.
The three I took today and one of the big ones were very close together in loose soil with large rocks. None of the soil remained with the roots (I probably should have taken them all tomorrow after the rain). Everything I've read tells me these are are very tough and resilient, so I'm hopeful that rings true for these.
The biggest one (last 2 pics) is about 30 feet from the others and maybe 3 feet lower, and the soil is a soft clay/loam, so hopefully I'll be able to retain some of the soil for that one.

 

[BonsaiManic]

This is how the 3 smallest looked before I put them into holes in my backyard. My yard is so compacted that I didn't bother with a plank or tile or stone at the bottom of the hole. I just used the hard bottom dirt and put the loose soil that I dug out of the holes. I made the holes about twice as wide as deep to allow plenty of room for lateral root growth. I will submit post-planting pics tomorrow when there's enough light.

 

[Shibui]

You are correct about elms being tough and resilient and I suspect these will survive transplant. Down here we can transplant autumn or spring with no real problems.
FWIW I routinely remove most of the field soil from transplants. Field soil is not good in pots so getting the roots into potting mix is my first priority when moving trees into pots. I realise you're transplanting into the ground, the point being that trees still seem to survive after bare rooting at transplant.

 

[BonsaiManic]

Well, that's very disappointing. The two big boys aren't going to be collected after all. At least not yet. I heard the familiar and frustrating echo of a PVC line. Probably a main line for the park next to the lot. So, at least for now, the three from yesterday are all I'm going to be able to get. So the tree I really wanted is the last 2 pics on the left of the original post. Nice thick base, probably 2.5 or 3 inches across.
It seemed only right to inform the developer of what I found. The whole reason for the delay in clearing the land is that he was still trying to get the utilities to locate and mark their lines. So I may have lost out on some trees, but I gained respect. It's a pretty good bargain for me.


But I still want the other 3 trees!

 

[Shibui]

I heard the familiar and frustrating echo of a PVC line.

Much better to have the warning than to find it with your spade.
The developers obviously can't do anything until services are located so the trees will still be there. Maybe still a chance for you later.

 

[BonsaiManic]

Much better to have the warning than to find it with your spade.

Agreed. Unfortunately, it  appears that this one has roots growing around the pipe, so it most likely will just be cut off at the ground. Our winters are pretty mild here, so this line is only about 8 to 10 inches deep.