I just started to grow a seedling. It's been growing for about 4 months now. I just stated growing branches (!!!) but it seems like it is getting too heavy for its trunk. Should I give the plant support to keep it upright, or just let it do it's thing?

Do you want to grow an upright tree?

When plants is elongating like this it is always due to lack of light. Or really, the balance between sunlight and heat. More sun or lower temperature will make it grow stronger.

If you are in the nortern hemisphere, now is summer and all trees should be outdoors.

Thanks for the reply. I do live in the northern hemisphere, but I live in a high desert region so it’s frequently 90 f (30c) with really intense sun from the elevation 6400ft (2000m) so i was bit concerned about killing the plant with the heat/sun. I’ll move it outside and see how it does.

Just be careful and do the move slowly and gradually. First in full shade for a week and then move into more sun once a week paying good atention to the health of the tree. You will need to water more as well to keep it happy. Good luck.

MattF wrote:

Thanks for the reply. I do live in the northern hemisphere, but I live in a high desert region so it’s frequently 90 f (30c) with really intense sun from the elevation 6400ft (2000m) so i was bit concerned about killing the plant with the heat/sun. I’ll move it outside and see how it does.

It is regularly above 90F here, usually 95 or so for a couple of hours. The elms have been outside for 7 or 8 years and seem to be doing fine. You will need to water them.