AusBonsai

Hi.
This is how I spent my boxing day afternoon.

Hadn't touched this elm since spring.

Any suggestions on this fulla? I think it will be nice in time.

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You have good bones Ben, and I find this tree interesting because of its straightish trunk. There is a conversation occurring in another post about bending or chopping a Chinese elm trunk but this shows that straightish is just fine.

Can we please see the side of this one? It looks very much like a 2D tree - all side branches and no back or front. Bonsai should be 3D so depth is important. Back branches are vital for good 3D design and some growth at the front of the upper trunk can be useful too.

It does look a bit 2D but may just be the photos. I’d be potting it a little deeper when you get around to it next, for me the nebari is a little over exposed and distracting. You have a lot of branching in good places, plenty of promise in your tree.

Maybe round out the apex to make it look older.

Grant

1st pick is it's left side view.
2nd is the back
3rd the right side

Cheers

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Front images really only tell half story, you have plenty out the back Ben nice one, and as Watto said your design works fine.

Here is one of mind with a roof on it as Grant suggested, might suit you, mind you, you got it this far without us, so merely a suggestion/idea mate....good work Ben.

Hopefully the over 30 degree heat for awhile and coming will slow mind down, needs a trim every couple weeks.