Well, where does the new shoot of a golden elm suddenly come from? If small golden elms suddenly grow out of the ground, it is probably an extension of the existing deciduous tree that is now penetrating the surface of the earth. The young shoots are not always a blessing, as removing them requires a lot of work. Here you can find out how to properly deal with the foothills of the golden elm.
How to remove and control golden elm runners?
To remove stolons from a golden elm, trace the stolon back to the trunk, digging it up completely and being careful not to damage the main root. An additional rhizome barrier can further limit growth and protect against pests.
The extensive root system of the golden elm
The crown of the golden elm can reach dimensions of 5-10 meters. The underground root system, however, exceeds this already astonishing growth range many times over. Golden elms are known for their strong runner formation. The growth beneath the surface of the earth becomes apparent when new shoots appear at some distance from the trunk. Some gardeners find them resentful, at least when they allow fresh air into beds or lift paving stones. Anyone who then tries to inhibit the formation of runners by pruning the golden elm produces the exact opposite. If you look at the dimensions of the plant's root, the actual tree remains just a part of the plant. The roots provide nutrients and keep the tree alive. There must always be a balanced relationship between above- and below-ground plant parts. If you now shorten the upper part, the golden elm compensates for the loss by spreading further underground.
Remove root suckers
Just pull the shoot out of the ground, cut the roots and hope that no new runners form? Unfortunately, it's not that easy to keep education at bay. Follow the following instructions and you are more likely to succeed:
- trace the spur back to the trunk
- dig up the entire foothill
- be careful not to damage the main root
A rhizome barrier serves double benefit
It is also recommended to install a rhizome barrier. This will limit the formation of foothills for a certain period of time. At the same time, this barrier protects against pests.
- dig a 1m deep hole near the roots
- place a root barrier (€39.00 on Amazon) (a special film from a specialist retailer) around the root ball
- fill the trench back with earth
Using the foothills of the golden elm
Instead of throwing away the cut runners, you can also use them to propagate your golden elm. However, sufficient roots must have already formed for this to happen.
