big1bully
ArboristSite Lurker
I am trying to save a giant American Elm in my back pasture. It sits just below an historic rural tavern, about half way down a 45 degree rock slope with the tops of its large roots exposed. It has been butchered several times by wind storms but still has a crown of over 90'. Until 1975, it was fed by horse and cow manure from a corral that overlapped the 100 ft. slope. Two years ago, I lost most of my other elm trees on the property and the giant looked like it was dying. Last year it appeared somewhat revived. Now that I'm retired and have time to worry, I'm worrying about the tree. This week I cut down about about 30 4-6" hackberry saplings growing inside the drip line. There are still about ten larger trees inside the same area. Should I leave the cut hackberry saplings where they are or drag them away? Should I try to fertilize? Should I cut down the larger trees? What would you do? Any suggestions for trying to keep this tree going would be greatly appreciated.