Ulmus lobel. thoughts on these specimens

[Taupotreeman]

We've just had these planted by a contractor and was looing for your thoughts on whether they are good specimens or not. I'll keep my thoughts out of it but we have a site meeting with the contractor on Monday morning to discuss so I'd appreciate any input.

[RobArb]

Are they support to be fastigiate?

 

Sent from my Galaxy S2

[Taupotreeman]

Yes they are supposed to be fastigiate. I have some more pictures if needed.

[Taupotreeman]

A couple more anyway.

[Goaty]

I see what you are getting at, the trident instead of a prominent leader. It isn't good for a public area in case they split at the fork union. I would single it up to the horror of many. In NZ it will soon put good growth on and compensate. I reckon 2 years you wouldn't notice it.

Not what the LA wants to hear perhaps but best long term, problem nipped in the bud.

As for the curvy trunk that will become less prominent each year until it straightens out.

 

If top grade was specified for the contract they are not that. It is down to not enough nursery pruning/tying in.I assume NZ is dutch elm disease free?

[Goaty]

I see what you are getting at, the trident instead of a prominent leader. It isn't good for a public area in case they split at the fork union, or get vandalised. I would single it up to the horror of many. In NZ it will soon put good growth on and compensate. I reckon 2 years you wouldn't notice it.

Not what the LA wants to hear perhaps but best long term, problem nipped in the bud.

As for the curvy trunk that will become less prominent each year until it straightens out.

 

If top grade was specified for the contract they are not that. The heads are not high enough in my opinion, a larger size tree should of been used to get the crown out of public reach. It is down to not enough nursery pruning/tying in I assume NZ is dutch elm disease free?

Edited September 7, 2012 by Goaty
more info

[Taupotreeman]

The trees are part of a million dollar upgrade to a prominent town centre street. We have already had some animosity to various expensive sculptures around the town along with the upgrades on this street. Council now want to make sure that everything is bang on. When we first saw the trees we didn't think they were 1st grade quality but the landscaper and nursery insist that the form is as it should be. I know little about the species hence the thread. And they did check for Dutch elm in Auckland. I think they might have had an instance but all elm cuttings and chip had to be taken to a special tip site. Not sure of the current rules and regs though.

[Goaty]

Yes not top quality, we get better grade in uk and the dutch grow em like fishing rods. Its not a hard tree to keep straight, these where probably grown in a neglected corner of the nursery in limited numbers. To be fair to the tree, it doesn't come up very often in quantity due to potential short lifespan with disease.

Check the stems out on these. Also google images.

Buy Elm Trees | Ulmus Lobel

[MATTMOSS]

I agree they dont look to have the best form, but I think they will look at lot better when they come into leaf.

Probably worth a moan if you have paid top money for them.

decent size trees, look like they have been planted well, see how they go

[Paul Barton]

I'm not familiar with the species and typical form but I wouldn't have said they were top class nursery stock.

 

With some good formative pruning you could improve their structure. I've attached a useful guide in case you find it of interest.

RPG Tree Pruning Cue Card[1].pdf