Finally!

Marshall · Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2010 9:02 am Post subject: Finally!

I finally got the arboretum staff to get interested in planting some resistant Ulmus americana. I acquired a bundle of free rooted cuttings at a recent trade show here in Ohio and located a source down in White GA that has 6-7'whips that I'm picking up when returning from Alpharetta in a couple weeks. Been trying for several years to get them to move on this since our focus now is native plants. Couldn't find anyone willing to part with some 100% Castanea dentata as that's another one we should be playing with. Found some 15/16th but we want the 100% selections.

Chooch · Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2010 8:30 pm Post subject:

So I wonder if the Castanea will survive more than 30 years ???
That is the problem with Ulmus ; I could tell you the ulmus are disease resistant plants but it will take 30+ years to prove it to myself and anyone else .
Good luck on your quest for those two plants !!!
_________________
"I never think of the future. It comes soon enough."
--Albert Einstein, physicist, 1930.

Marshall · Posted: Tue Feb 02, 2010 3:13 am Post subject:

I figure what's there to lose besides a bunch of years. IF these plants are truly resistant, it will be worth the effort.

Marshall · Posted: Wed Feb 24, 2010 8:11 am Post subject:

Well, I pulled into that nursery in north Georgia to pick up the trees Monday AM and they hadn't dug them yet - said they didn't know when I was picking them up - even though I had talked to them on the 15th and told them the 22nd between 8 and 9. So while a crew was gathered to dig, I was shown around the place which had an interesting past. This particular area of Georgia was a source of iron ore back during the Civil War and there were several mine pits - now ponds - on the property. I also saw some very attractive ulmus parvifolia 'Bosque'. Beautiful trees with interesting bark, plumb bob straight trunks and nice upright oval heads. I would have like to see them leafed out. They said they sold LOTS of those.

So after about an hour the trees showed up. We had ordered 6-7 foot bare root whips and what they brought me was 8-10 foot bare root branched liners. I had figured 8 ft of space would be needed and had removed the left side 2nd and 3rd row seats which would have been plenty for the size we bought. So we bundled them up with the tips laying on the dash center console and between the two front seats. Had to tie up the tops to get them all to fit between the seats.

So it was worth the wait - paid $10 a piece for them - and we still got home before dark. And the Arboretum Manager was quite pleased with the results. Got them all potted up yesterday and will grow them on for year before selling or planting.