Hello all,

Hoping to perform my first trunk chop on this poorly tapered, S-curve mallsai Chinese elm. Would this be the appropriate location to cut or should I simply cut a flat stump and develop a leader from whatever grows from that?

I would cut it exactly there.

Don't forget to send us the pictures of the progression!

hoody yolkin wrote: Would this be the appropriate location to cut or should I simply cut a flat stump and develop a leader from whatever grows from that?

I believe your cutting point it´s right on spot!

Seize the branch and take advantage of it as a leader and build form there on. Just be aware that it will take quite a few years of development, possibly with nothing much to do other than watering and fertilizing. Also a repotting using a better soil mix wouldn´t hurt. Oh... And keep this tree outdoors now that Spring is coming.

Alain

i would suggest to do the cut a bit higher, like one cm or so. This because of dieback. Later , when the new leader has grown well, you can cut at the final place, or else: make a small yin.

I had planned to repot into an akadama mix but I worried that repotting and a trunk chop may be too many insults at once. In your opinion, should I proceed with both at the same time?

hoody yolkin wrote: I had planned to repot into an akadama mix but I worried that repotting and a trunk chop may be too many insults at once. In your opinion, should I proceed with both at the same time?

If you don't bother with the roots too much it should not be a problem.

Perfect time to repot.
The roots and canopy work together as a system. If you're taking off heaps off from the top, you want to take just as much off the bottom.

Hwoarang wrote: Perfect time to repot.
The roots and canopy work together as a system. If you're taking off heaps off from the top, you want to take just as much off the bottom.

Not true.

If you do a trunk chop, you want to root system healthy and established to get the quickest & strongest re-grow. Trimming both at the same time is most of th etime needlesly heavy handed on the tree