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Tree in a Box - American Elm
Each Tree in a Box kit contains a peat pot, a magic pellet, tree seeds, and a 32-page booklet that describes the tree type and how to grow it. The booklet also presents fascinating facts about the importance of trees in our lives as well as some interesting and historical tree mythology.
Also known as the Water, White or Soft Elm, this large graceful tree has a vase-shaped crown and a thick rounded base. Its far-reaching branches provide wonderful shade in the manner of the great oaks. It belongs to the Ulmaceae Family, which includes hackberries and elms. It is the americana species of the Ulmus genus, which is Latin for elm, and is the most grandiose of the 20 native US species. It can grow to 140' with an 8' trunk diameter.
The leaves are dark green, 3-6" long and grow in two rows. They are elliptical shaped, sharp at the points with toothed edges. They turn a bright yellow in autumn. The bark is light gray and deeply furrowed with scaly ridges. The wood is hard, heavy, and tough. Because of its durability, it was once used for the hubs of wagon wheels and the Iroquois used the bark for canoes and for making rope.
Its native habitat ranges from central Canada to central Texas and east to the Atlantic. It prefers rich, well-drained and moist soils but will adapt to most conditions anywhere in the US. It will grow successfully in the West with sufficient water. It is valued for timber, wildlife habitat, and as a shelterbelt.
The American Elm was once an abundant tree but has been decimated by the Dutch Elm disease caused by a fungus accidentally introduced about 1930. Trees are immune from the disease until they are about ten years old. The seeds in this kit are from a resistant strain of American Elm.
Seed Planting Instructions:
The seed packet in this kit contains several seeds. Use about four initially & refrigerate the rest. Be sure to give your tree plenty of time to sprout. It may take 8 weeks or better in the winter. Remember, you are growing a lifetime treasure.
Soil temperature is one of the most important factors in sprouting your seed! Soil must get warm every day. This is effectively achieved by placing the pot in a sunny south window, but warmth is better than sun until it sprouts.
1. Remove disk & place your peat pot with Magic Pellet in a shallow dish. Fill pot with warm water and watch the Magic Pellet expand to fill the pot!
2. Place 4 seeds just under the surface of the soil and place in a sunny window.
3. Keep pot moist until germination but do not over saturate. Let the pot dry enough to allow air to the seed, drying on the outside but never losing all of its moisture inside.
4. In the winter, because of cool temperatures and low sun angle, your seed may take 6 to 8 weeks to sprout! Be patient! Remember you are growing a tree that will be here for generations! It can sprout in 3 to 4 weeks in summer.
5. About one week after sprouting, plant the entire peat pot into a larger pot with additional dirt. Your tree needs the nutrients from the new dirt and it will also be easier to maintain proper moisture in the larger pot.
6. If you have more than one sprout, separate the sprouts by running tap water into the peat pot until everything is very loose. Gently transfer all but one into a separate larger pot that is already prepared with a soil/peat mix and has a finger hole prepared to accept the tree. The delicate hairs on the roots must be in the dry air an absolute minimum of time. This is a very delicate process and you will probably not have total survival, but Best of Luck!
7. During the winter your sprout may grow very little. Trees, even when indoors, go at least somewhat dormant in the winter. In the spring you will see new leaves or needles begin to form and a healthy spurt of growth begin. For the first few years, evergreens will grow slowly, developing their roots and acclimating to their specific environment. Thereafter it will grow one to one and a half feet per year. Deciduous trees will grow much faster and can reach several feet in the first couple of seasons.
8. Your tree can be grown indoors for several years providing it has plenty of sunshine and a pot to fit its size. It also makes an excellent Bonsai.
9. The best time to transplant your tree outside is late Spring. It should be at least 3" to 5" tall and you must "harden" the seedling by placing it outdoors in partial shade for several days. If it is very hot begin with short hours and work up to a full day. If there is danger of frost, bring it in at night. Make sure you protect the small seedling from birds, cats etc. who may think you’ve put out a dainty little treat for them.
10. In its first seasons provide protection from sun and wind by placing a screen around the seedling. Also provide protection every winter in cold climates until the tree is several years old. Mulch your tree to keep weeds and grass from choking it and to help keep the ground cool and moist.
11. Water regularly, especially during the first year. Early spring and late fall watering is especially important to get it through its heavy growth and dormant stages.
Box size: 2.5 x 2.5 . 2.5 inches
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