cooper

interesting thread on elm i have a few at top of my place and not big at present and look after them as such a nice tree to see. how do you take cuttings from them do you just cut some of the small branches off and put them in rooting compound then grow on and what is the best medium to plant in. i assume when 9ocm or above they then can be planted into the ground. and do you need permission from the forestry commission's to plant them as of ded and now ash die back.

I clipped off some of the new twiggy growth ends it had made that year, then I clipped them back to a straight twig about 8-10 inch long. (Remember which end is the bottom or you will plant upside down ) With a sharp knife trim off the cutting just below a leaf node (small bump on the twig) and plant 3 around the outside of a 4 inch pot. Peat mixed 50/50 with coarse sand is a good medium. If you clip some willow into 2 inch pieces and put a few handfull into a container then just cover with water. If placed somewhere warm they will start to root and infuse the water with their natural rooting compound use this in the spring to water the cuttings. Keep them out of the direct sun as the leaves start to open, there wont be enough root as yet to support the leaves so nip off the lower ones leaving two or three at the top. Re-pot in the autumn plant out the following year, and away they go.

I am hoping that the trees can be left up until June and I can then propagate like mad to preserve this particular genetic strain. I might end up with a house full of cuttings at this rate!

 

Alec

Don't have to wait until June Alec, you can take cutting now and put them in sharp sand they should start to make root in the spring, I know this because I did it with some elm cuttings last year from a 30" diameter tree which is hanging on in an isolated little wood. Took about 30 cuttings most of which made a nice root system this year.

Or, if you'd like to opt out of the death and maiming , take the tap off, fill it with water then empty it again and presto! guaranteed gas-free!

As Rover said, then use a Jigsaw with a metal cutting blade to cut into the four holes, cuts as easy as plywood. Cut hole in top too. weld some butt hinges back on piece you cut out to make door. best stove ever. Can post a pic of mine if you want.

Edit ..I see what you mean about the £5.00, it was just the way I read it....Thinking about a new job as an accountant now

I see it like this ..

Pay out £100 for timber plus £20 vat

Claim back the £20.

Cost of timber £100.

Sell logs for £300 + £15 Vat

Send tax man £15 total left £300.

Profit £200. I cant make it £205.00 How am I £5.00 better off?

Hi all, another browser stepping into here, great site loads of info has kept me busy reading for days on end, just thought Id say hello.

Cheers...Cooper