AusBonsai

So I bought this elm only to fill an empty pot near the front door purely as a filler not really with Bonsai in mind, but I am now getting the itch of making one of it.

Thinking of chopping above the lowest branch on the left and seeing if the upper part of the tree I can use as a cutting whilst the lower part starting again as a bonsai.

Thoughts ?




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Hi Wigg, yes that's what I would do... can't see another option really...

To make that work you'll need to make 2 chops. The straight, untapered section of the first branch won't look good with a short fat trunk so it will also need to be cut off.
You should also check the roots before making radical chops. If the roots are strong on the right you won't be able to tilt the trunk to the right to make that first section look balanced for informal upright but might be ok for a windswept or leaning to the left?
Remove the branch to leave a strong upright trunk, shorten the trunk and develop a broom style (ideal for elm) is another possibility.
Next possibility is put it in the tub as planned and look at it in another 5 years when it will be thicker and stronger and may have developed other possibilities.

Air layer the top off,and then do what shibiu said,that way you won't waste the top of it.

You could but will the end result be worth the effort? IMO May as well produce a better tree from cuttings taken off this one and keep this out the front as a stock tree.

Elms grow fast, it won't take too long.

In saying that, check the roots first. They may just make it worth while.

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Air layering is a good way to propagate trees for bonsai but is the top of this one really worth the time and effort?

perhaps cut the top right hand branches off and air layer for the left leader. The top is becoming swollen

shibui wrote: Next possibility is put it in the tub as planned and look at it in another 5 years when it will be thicker and stronger and may have developed other possibilities.

I like this suggestion the best.
I used to be indecisive, but now I'm not so sure....

no idea wrote:perhaps cut the top right hand branches off and air layer for the left leader. The top is becoming swollen

\My idea was to put the swollen bit under the ground,nice movement and branching past that,then chop the straight bit out down below,just shows you how different people think,which is good.