Ulmus minor? yamadori and next steps

[minkes]

Hey! I dug up this elm this spring. It produced some shoots from cut point, but most of them died and now I have few posibilities for future development. I am aiming for broom style and I am here for your help / suggestions.


After first growing season tree looks like this.

I could let the tree be as it is, it is slightly curved, so maybe the best option is to just continue its development without drastical moves...OR, here is another option:



.. to make two trees out of one. Next spring I could airlayer top part and after separations have two with shorter trunks.

Here is detail of unsuccessful top part. Just few shoots from cutting point, so I will remove it to 3 strong shoots down below, or I will make new cut with hope to obtain better shoots directly from cutting point as elms tend to do.








I will be glad for any inputs. Sorry for my bad english

 

[BrianBay9]

I like your plan.

 

[minkes]

I like your plan.

Which one? One tree or airlayer top for two trees?

 

[BrianBay9]

Which one? One tree or airlayer top for two trees?

Sorry, air layer for two trees and start your broom style lower.

 

[minkes]

For now I cutted the top part - I found out it was anyway almost completely dead (for sure it was the reason, why that top shoots dried out). Still thinking if I should remove side branches on the trunk down below in the early spring...

 

[Maros]

If it were my tree, I would air-layer it halfway up the trunk. It is easy to do in the controlled environment of your garden, and if done properly, roots will grow quickly and abundantly.
I made a similar layering project on one of my trees.

You can check the video on my channel.

 

[BobbyLane]

I was thinking yes layer off the top, but layering halfway up the trunk as Maros suggested. Or just under the lowest branches would give you a chunky Elm with high and lower branches. Its the better option. Over time just allow the two lowest branches to thicken up without trimming them.

 

[River's Edge]

I would stop and consider if the tree is healthy enough for the work you are proposing. taking the time to improve the health of a tree before air layering the first time can have a very positive effect. Even mores if you are considering a second air layer so quickly.

 

[minkes]

I would stop and consider if the tree is healthy enough for the work you are proposing. taking the time to improve the health of a tree before air layering the first time can have a very positive effect. Even mores if you are considering a second air layer so quickly.

True. I will decide after first spring growth if it seems to be strong enough for succesful airlayering or not. Good advice, thanks! Second airlayer will be next year after first one. No reason to rush it . Maybe I will plant it in the garden for even stronger growth.