Neglected Chinese Elm

[kvan64]

Very nice progression. I really like the ramification and branching of this tree.

[wrcmad]

I love this tree. It is going to be exciting to see how you develop the fine ramification.
It appears for the photos that a many of the cuts result in one branch/bud growing rather than two. Is this by design or a quirk of this species?

Yeah, I noticed the same. a lot of single branches there. Also, I would try to get some growth covering the middle trunk. Its very large and non-tapered and look out of place. I know there are a lot of people who like to expose the trunk from the front but I don't see this as natural. A glimps here and there is nice but the entire front is artificial personally. I understand that you have trimmed the tree and this is the reason, it will fill in.

Agree entirely.
Plan to work on ramification and foliage pads this year. The tree as pictured is actually very sparse - more sparse than the photo indicates, but the root ball copped it this year, so it was justified. Allowing the sunlight in also aids in budding.
Guess I'll wait and see what can be done over the next 12 months. In the meantime, it will be feed, feed, trim and feed some more.

[KDXia]

Looks great, you should be proud that your years of effort are paying off

[wrcmad]

Update -
It's now been exactly 2.5 years since this tree was shown TLC - it should be ready for potting into it's selected pot in July this year.
Still a bit of refinement to do, and development on the grafted back branch.
Here it is today:

jan 2017.jpg

Graft has never looked back ( ):

jan 2017 b.jpg

[Kevin]

Well done wrcmad,

Such a splendid tree.
Thanks for the update.

Kevin

[Qitianlong]

Great tree and progression! Very inspiring!

[matlea]

Looking great... Can't wait until it's in a pot.

[delisea]

Great work. Osmicote and teabags! That will it get it growing.
Cheers, Symon

[wrcmad]

Great work. Osmicote and teabags! That will it get it growing.
Cheers, Symon

Yep, and a weekly dose of powerfeed to cover all bases.

[Black Knight]

wrcmad,
This has become a good looking tree & the results of your work are showing through.
The only small drawback is the 1st left branch needs filling out imho.
Regards,
Black Knight

[zimzallabim]

This is amazing! Best thread I've read in Here lol

Sent from my D6683 using Tapatalk

[Jarad]

Nice work mate!

[wrcmad]

Update.
Exactly 3 years since it was a stump.
I had a 5-year goal for this one, but I might beat that by a year - I think it could quite possibly be showable in 12 months time.
It was potted in mid-July, and a 3rd and final chainsaw jobbie on the roots enable me to quite comfortably fit it into it's designated pot.
Still a bit of refinement to do on the upper branches and the grafted branch on the back, but it is getting there.
Does it look like and elm tree? - questionable.
Do I care? - hell no, not at all! I make no apologies.... this is a bonsai.

Aug1701.jpg

Aug1702.jpg

And the graft:

Aug1704.jpg

Aug1703.jpg

[melbrackstone]

It's repaying you for planting the seed.

Congratulations, it's come along nicely!

[Ryceman3]

When trees and pots unite ... Finally! Feels like it has been a long time coming, but worth the wait, great combo. I've really enjoyed watching the development of your tree, I look forward to the rest too. Really nice!