How to Propagate and Grow American Elm Trees from Cuttings for Bonsai and Preservation

In this installment of Barefoot Bonsai Ranch, I show my method for growing American Elm trees from cuttings using a rooting hormone. Propagation from cuttings is a touch and go method. Some trees just won't take and die off. That's why I put multiple cuttings in a single pot. Hedge your bets and go big.
Rooting hormone used in this video:
www.amazon.com...
Many years ago, the American Elm tree was all but decimated in the United States due to Dutch Elm Disease. Now, generations later, the mighty elm is making a comeback. Here at the Barefoot Bonsai Ranch, our goal is to aid in the return of this majestic native tree. To that aim, we focus on education in gardening and horticulture to encourage future generations to care for their native habitat and to continue the rewarding work of growing great things while also growing closer to God's beautiful creation.
More information on the American Elm:
www.bowerandbr...
mdc.mo.gov/dis...

[@fishmut]

Better to water the medium before putting the cuttings in that way the grows hormone doesn’t get washed off during your watering it , just sayin. But if it works it doesn’t matter I guess .👍

[@MostlySunny2010]

Can the shape and configuration of a mature elm tree, which was started from a cutting, be somewhat predicted by the cutting from which it was started? Can very early pruning influence the eventual shape and configuration of the mature elm tree? The most perfect, most beautiful elm tree that I have ever seen grows nearby here in the New River Gorge area of West Virginia. I would love to have an elm tree such as this one.

[@djmrozinski]

I am in mid Michigan and we lost all our American Els in the area 40 years ago. I stumbled across American Elm in the hedge row along my house this fall. I would love to do some cuttings in the spring and see if I can get some saplings going. In your video you mention repotting in October. Would you then leave them outside for winter or do they need to be in some kind of shelter.
Growing up we had these huge American Elms all around Essexville MI where I live. I would love to try and establish these trees in my area again.
Look forward to any advice you would share.
Dave

[@BarefootBonsai]

Let’s bring back the elms! Just yesterday, I took all the elms I found this year that I potted up and I buried the pots in the ground with the trees sticking out. That’s the best way to keep the roots from freezing the first winter. They’ll lose their leaves later in the month so this gives them a chance to soak up some more sun and push energy to the roots.

[@jillblock4831]

Could you also do this in November when the cuttings are dormant? (Zone 5)

[@BarefootBonsai]

I’m sure you could but they might rot or die. Best to do it in the spring when the fresh growth is pushing.

[@lastcomment2614]

Maybe you can answer this, If I wanted to propagate an American elm from a root cutting, do you know the size of root cut I would need for successful propagation??

[@BarefootBonsai]

You’ll need as much feeder roots as possible off the main tap root. It’s tricky because they grow like carrots. If you cut the tap root though, feeders will grow from it.

[@nasreenkhan488]

Can you do this in summer?😅

[@BarefootBonsai]

If you have a long summer and someplace sheltered to store them for the dormant season