Elm tree??/can i plant snippings from it?

afries52 · May 3, 2006

Hello, this is my first post....

There was an (what i belive to be) Elm tree that is is my neighborhood that was cut down today. I counted the rings and got about 140-150. ANyways, i took some of the small brances that were alive and green and appeared to be new from the gigantic trunk...My question is...Can i plant these little brances or stems or whatever you may want to call them in the ground...will they take root? Please let me know before they die!

I have pictures of it here....
http://s25.photobucket.com/albums/c68/afries/

just scroll down and they're there..!

Please any help would be appriated! I love these trees, and the city is gettting rid of alot of them because of the DED...

Elmore · May 4, 2006

Looks like Ash

Without knowing what species it is I can't be of much help. If it is Ash, forget it. As far as I know all Ash is from seed, with some grafted a fewer done with tissue culture. If an Elm it may be possible. Without specialized equipment I suggest you obtain a large, large-mouthed, clear plastic container. Like what kitty litter comes in. Clean it out real good. Get some small containers (pots to fit in larger container) to root cuttings in. Mix equal parts sphagnum peat moss and perlite for the medium. Obtain some rooting hormone (Lowes, Home Depot or a garden center) and moisten the lower end of your cutting then insert into rooting powder, shake off excess and stick the cutting into your pre-moistened media in your pot. Tip : take a small pencil or stick and make your hole in the media first that way when inserting the cutting it does not knock off the hormone powder from cutting. Firm the media around the cutting. Put a little water in the bottom of the kitty litter container then put your pots, with cuttings inserted, into container. Close cover, put in a semi-shaded spot and watch that it doesn't get too wet in the container's atmosphere. If it does crack the opening a little. You can also propagate Elm from roots in a similar manner.
It looks like Ash shoots as opposed to Elm. I wouldn't bother in that case.

bigair · May 5, 2006

That is an ash tree. Elm have serrated leaves which are not directly across from each other.

afries52 · May 5, 2006

Okay. Good now i now...But do you think i'll have any luck with keeping the cutting alive? Its been 2 days now and its still green and alive. Hopefully it will although most information i've seen says you can't.

Ax-man · May 6, 2006

Forget it, it is not going to work.

BlueRidgeMark · May 6, 2006

Green & alive is one thing. Able to put out new roots and continue to grow is another. Some plants just can't do that.

And of course, NOTHING good grows in Norwalk.

Juuuust kidding!

At least you're not up in Downey. :laugh: