This tree does not have a 'leader'.

See this recent discussion.

Dan

let us rephrase his OP ....

he wants its branching at a higher level... before the canopy develops as it will with an elm ...

could he take off the one he suggests.. then put in a big stake.. and pull the other vertical ... tying and retying for a year or two.. to train the tree into a proper vertical ... until the trunk strengthens enough to not need the stake ...

elms are not endemic to my area .. but the few pics i have seen.. they are stately trees that have been limbed up 10.. 20.. 30 feet.. before the canopy turn into the typical form ...

are you suggesting he can not train this tree into a favorable form .. are you suggesting he should just destroy it .... and go buy one with the proper form.. and never prune it to height????

i have done it on oak and cherry ... why cant it be done on an elm ????

what do you think ..

ken

It is the same situation as in the other thread: maybe in a few years, not now, there is no leader.

And its too bad it forked so low.

Dan

Thanks for your responses. So to clarify - I will wait on removing the lower branch until the crown gains some height. (Possibly making attempts at limiting the growth of that lower limb?) and also attempting to train the tree to grow a bit more vertically? Either by pruning and or staking?

The tree will grow vertically without anybody's help.

I guess if you have to just to satisfy some unknown compunction, you can correct that defect and prune the left scaffold limb in the near- to mid-term future, but I don't know what the reason would be unless the bark is included.

You'll have a clear bend in the trunk if you do that, which will be noticeable for at least a decade, minimum, probably closer to two. That tree grows in a vase-shaped form. That is what it does. It is doing it now. It will continue to do that in the future. The only thing wrong in this case is that the tree forks at 4'. That is the only thing. There is nothing to do to the tree to make it grow "straight" without screwing up the tree.

Dan

That's exactly what i needed to know. I quit worrying about it and enjoy the thing instead. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

The tree will grow vertically without anybody's help.

===>>> let me clarify that for dan ...

the branches will not move up from the presumed 4 feet... the trunk will thicken.. and the tips will continue from where they are ...

but the branches at 4 feet.. will remain at 4 feet ...

and i dont know if that future would make me happy ... but it isnt about me..

if you are happy.. then super

ken

"In particular, wounded elm wood is known to attract bark beetles that harbor spores of the Dutch elm disease fungus, and open wounds on oaks are known to attract beetles that spread the oak wilt fungus. Take care to prune these trees during the correct time of year to prevent spread of these fatal diseases. Contact your local tree disease specialist to find out when to prune these tree species in your area. Usually, the best time is during the late fall and winter. "

In general I just prune. Elm, even the new and improved ones, live in fear of DED. I like the tree, I like the vase shape. Notice the good websites call it "resistant" to DED not immune. May as well prune it at the right time of year.

Here is a link that might be useful: www.na.fs.fed.us link I stole the quote from

I quit worrying about it and enjoy the thing instead.

Outstanding. Perfect. Enjoy!

Dan