AusBonsai

Hi Mel.. the other thing to consider is taking more off the root ball at the base and burying the tree deeper so that you just see the flare of the roots as they flare out. In addition to removing or shortening any over time.
I have a similar issue with a Fagus Sylvatica with exposed ugly roots but I reckon it may look a lot more natural by sitting it deeper in the pot. Anyway, my 2 cents worth.. It looks healthy as though and a good looking tree in the making.

Cheers Rob. I really want to get this into a much smaller pot, so reducing the roots on top and the root ball are definitely in its future... I might have one or two spare pots after asking on fb for help on the crepe myrtle pot....LOL!

Sorry to hear we won't see you at Cradle this year...hope you can recover soon.

You should be able to do as shibui with the existing roots and cut them back hard. Definitely bury it deeper. Maybe leave some lower ones if you are worried about cutting too much off. You can then put into an orchid pot with a good open mix and feed it and water it heavily. It will grow like the clappers and then the following winter do another hard root prune, removing any lower roots that remain and pop it back in the orchid pot. Repeat for a few years and you will get well ramified roots just like your branches. And like your branches, the bits closest to the trunk will thicken up. This will help spread the base of the tree and eventually all the roots start to meet. A young vigorous elm will cope with yearly repots and hard pruning and will reward you with the nebari you are after. You can work on the branches at the same time and when you are happy with your base and trunk, then pop it into a beautiful pot and finish the branches.

Thanks dansai, extra info very much welcome!

Cheers

As per usual with people asking advice, I've asked and mostly ignored....LOL!

Sorry guys. What I decided to do was cut the roots back while the tree was still actively growing, so that they can start producing new leaves, and leave the tree in the pot to recover without too much disturbance. I did half not long after I asked in here, and the other half about a month ago.

This is the result.

Not a bad decision at all Mel. All the root systems have not been disturbed and all have growth. At the next re-pot you should have success with all of them.

Instant forest...!
... and hopefully better roots on the original tree ... win/win!

Cheers Watto and Ryceman3, I'm pleased with the result so far, now itching to get them out of that large heavy pot!

Patience is always my biggest problem...

Thought I'd update this thread....

Well done Mel, A good result!

Hi there Mel

How did you promote the growth on the tree roots. I gather it was some sort of cut.

Thanks

Brett

Thanks Frank, I'm happy with the way it's going.

Brett, Chinese Elms are very strong growers from root cuttings. All I did was make a cut in the root at the position I wanted to shorten them. The bits that were cut were left in the pot and were shooting within weeks. I've since taken them and potted them up separately.

Thanks Mel

I really like the shape/direction you are taking that MelB. [THUMBS UP SIGN]


Bonsai teaches me patience.
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That's a huge improvement Mel - a bit of Chinese penjing influence happening?