It seems this Winter has taken it’s toll on Chinese Elms. I’ve spoken with quite a few people across the UK who have Elms that are dead or suffering. For many years people have been leaving their Chinese Elms out of doors during the mild Winters. This year they are finding out what a risk that can be. I have a few myself and they have been slower to open this year, even after being protected all Winter.
The elm below belongs to a club member who has been working hard on this tree for a number of years to remove faults and create ramification. He brought it to the meeting a few weeks back and there was absolutely no signs of budding. I offered to put it into my poly tunnel to see how it responded. After nearly 2 weeks I couldn’t see any movement and feared the worst. Yesterday I gave it another look. After a few days of really warm weather I was pleased to see loads of little swelling buds. A small amount of fine ramification may have been lost but this can be replaced quickly.
Bonsai Eejit 
It’s a shame … Against us is the weather!
Let’s see if We Are lucky dog and you rebuild with the new bud!
By the way, what minimum temperatures speak there?
Greetings
LikeLike
We haven’t went below -5 c at my home for years, last Winter’s lowest was -12c! Some parts of N.Ireland hit -18c. Too much for poor Chinese Elms 😦
LikeLike
Here in my town every winter we get to -10 ° C minimum, last year – 12 º C.
I do not have any Chinese Elm, but I have aUlmus pumila and has held up well … but your -18 º C are more dangerous!!
Now I understand why you always see greenhouses in your shots … I have to raise something, I do not want to lose trees like your friend, with much work.
LikeLike
Yep I initially feared for the worst with my elm because I don’t have a greenhouse but leaves are all out now and budding all over the place. My tree spent much of the winter with the pot buried in a large tub of compost to protect the roots and during the extreme cold snaps put the tree in the boot of my car. Thankfully she’s doing well but an almost identical tree that i bought my father in law has I think died. He kept it in a car port but maybe wasn’t enough. Still no signs of budding on it =(
LikeLike
Hi Ben, Try scratching the bark on your Dad’s tree. If it’s green underneath, there’s still hope. Make sure you check it on the trunk as well as the branches. sometimes you’ll lose a branch or two but the trunk will survive..
LikeLike
so much depends on the growing medium the elm is in , open free draining mixes mean that there is not a big block of water to freeze when the cold comes , sadly this is not the sort of growing medium that the chinese imports some in with , but it is inescapable that chinese elms really do better with some protection from hard frosts,
LikeLike
Hi Peter, you don’t have time to blog hop, get outside and get watering 🙂 I’m sure yer heads turned with that job this week.
LikeLike