Winged Elm Progression

[VAFisher]

This tree started as a volunteer in one of my flower beds in 2016. I was weeding one day, noticed the leaves and decided to yank it and put it in some potting soil. At the time, I didn't know what type of elm it was but later determined that it was a winged. Here is the first pic I took of it in 2016.

 

[VAFisher]

In 2017 and 2018, I grew it in a pond basket and just allowed it to grow wild and do it's thing. I took some cuttings from it, which took easily but never ended up doing anything with those and just planted them back in the woods.

 

[VAFisher]

In 2019, it was starting to look like something resembling a tree and I was happy enough with the trunk thickness for a femine tree. So I put it in a bonsai pot. I don't remember when I did the original chop - most likely some time in 2018 but I don't have any pics from that year.



These are from later in 2019. The tree was doing well.


Looking a little better but there is a void in the branch structure on the left side that I needed to deal with.

 

[VAFisher]

In 2020, I bent a long shoot from a back branch around and approach grafted it to fix that void on the left side.



This is the branch structure in winter 2020.

 

[VAFisher]

The tree started to take shape in 2021 and was becoming one of my favorites. I repotted it into this really shallow Iker oval that I think suits it well.



Later in 2021 after a trim.

 

[VAFisher]

Here is the tree in 2022. I was able to separate the approach graft last winter as the trunk had rolled almost all the way around it. No repot this year and I've got a nasty algae growing on the soil that I need to deal with but the tree is growing strong.

 

[PA_Penjing]

Love your naturalistic natives, same question as last time haha, height?

 

[Kullas]

Here is the tree in 2022. I was able to separate the approach graft last winter as the trunk had rolled almost all the way around it. No repot this year and I've got a nasty algae growing on the soil that I need to deal with but the tree is growing strong.

View attachment 439750

Tree looks great. What is your plan of attack for the algae?

 

[VAFisher]

Love your naturalistic natives, same question as last time haha, height?

Thanks! This one is 21" tall.

 

[VAFisher]

Tree looks great. What is your plan of attack for the algae?

Thanks! Probably just scrape it off as best I can and add a new layer of soil on top.

 

[rockm]

Nice tree. You sure its a winged elm? Chinese elm possible?

 

[VAFisher]

Nice tree. You sure its a winged elm? Chinese elm possible?

Thanks. I'm as sure as I can be I guess. I'm not aware of any Chinese elms around here that would have produced a volunteer and winged elms are all over the place. The wings are also pretty prominent.

 

[VAFisher]

Winter shot

 

[VAFisher]

Decided to try this tree on a slab. I think I like it, although it may go back in a regular pot at some point too.

 

[Maiden69]

The tree is looking great in such a short time. I'm not a fan of slabs but I think it looks good.

 

[VAFisher]

Not much has changed for my winged elm in 2024. The moss isn't usually mounded up so high, creating that little bowl around the trunk, but I applied the fall systemic fungicide and all of the granules were washing away, so I covered them up with more moss. Even so, I've grown tired of looking at it on this slab and will be putting it back into a bonsai pot next year. I like the brownish Iker that it was in before, but I think it's just slightly too shallow. So the search begins for a new one. I think a soft, light blue could be nice for this tree.

 

[ForrestW]

Nice work-- and thanks for all the threads. I have really enjoyed seeing the progress on so many of your trees!

 

[VAFisher]

Nice work-- and thanks for all the threads. I have really enjoyed seeing the progress on so many of your trees!

Thanks. This forum really is a great way to keep track of your trees and their progress over the years. if someone else gets something out of it that's even better!

 

[Joelshack2362]

Awesome job, really like it on the slab. I recently got a elm and I hope I can get it to look like this one day.

 

[VAFisher]

Just picked up this pot that should be perfect for this tree next spring. About the same size as the old Iker pot but a little deeper.