AusBonsai

Hi all, just after some guidance with this tree, a Chinese elm which I bought in Spring. The first pic is it when I first got it, and the following 2 photos are the tree as of today.
I would like to try and pot it up in late winter, so am wondering what my steps should be now. I know a lot of wiring could be done, and so far I've just employed the clip and grow method... kinda.
What drew me to this particular tree is that it look 'natural', trunk has nice movement (to me), and at the time i was into gnarled nebari... the drawbacks as I can see them are some of the branches,
be they bar branches, or whorled*? branches, and straight branches, and perhaps irregular branch taper... any thoughts welcome!!! p.s. i know it is jumping the gun a little... but what kinda pot
would you see Elmo living in?

i guess my main issue is i can't figure out a front, therefore can't make a decision with branch selection. those branches took years to get there, and once I snip em they're gone!!

Hi qitianlong,

It's always hard to pick a start but you probably need to take a deep breath and just go with what seems the most logical. You are at an advantage with this species as mistakes can be easily rectified. If you loose one of the branches you have mentioned due to an incorrect decision you will soon get new growth from that point which will become a new branch in next to no time.

Squizz

Bit hard to decide on a front with only 2 views. What does the view from our right of the last photo look like ? At least the top of the tree is coming toward you (or it appears to be). We would need at least 10 photos from different angles to make a decision on a front

One of those crazy bonsai masters said "If you can't find the front of the tree, find the back and turn it 180 degrees"

sean.mitchell1 wrote:One of those crazy bonsai masters said "If you can't find the front of the tree, find the back and turn it 180 degrees"

Hear that more than once and works for me

Now to the tree...
What do the roots say the front is? Is there a Definite front to the roots and if so, does any trunkline work? You can always bend and reposition the trunk and graft branches.

Next is there a definite trunkline? Nice shape and movement, Good taper in the sections? the branches cn be cut back and regrowm in not in the right spot

Ken

Thanks guys, sorry for the sparse photos... will take a stack more

G'day Qit.

Mate I haven't had a great look at your tree admittedly but I think it was "Mojo" who linked to this:
http://ibonsaiclub.forumotion.com/t6174 ... rogression
The other day...

I found it MOST inspiring and just shows the type of potential journey you might take for this species...

Good luck mate.

Boics wrote:G'day Qit.

Mate I haven't had a great look at your tree admittedly but I think it was "Mojo" who linked to this:
http://ibonsaiclub.forumotion.com/t6174 ... rogression
The other day...

I found it MOST inspiring and just shows the type of potential journey you might take for this species...

Good luck mate.

Thanks Boics! That's amazing! So the nebari on page 7 of that progression is considered superior to what was there initially?

Progression and improvements to a tree would in my opinion always be at the forefront of design choice.
So my answer would be a resounding yes the new Nebari is far more structured and desirable.

yes, that question may seem a little strange, it being a progression from one state to another, usually towards improvement. The reason I ask is that this other elm of mine has what I consider an ugly nebari, but maybe it's on it's way to being like the one you linked to... pics to come

other nebari:

more pics of elmo:

G'day Qit.

As you will have seen on this particular species (and many others) you can always work on the Nebari.
My understanding is that every re-pot or chance we have we should be trying to improve on a tree's Nebari.

When I look at your tree I keep thinking back to this link here: viewtopic.php?f=138&t=9413&hilit=pussy+willow

Is there a "tree within the tree" here?
Personally I can see a few similar mellow zig zag lines in some of those pics.

As mentioned by others parvifolia will both bud and backbud profusely when cut (at least mine do!).
So I would'nt be too scared about "getting involved" and making a few cuts - some potentially significant.
Branches regrow quickly on this tree.

P.S. Love the look of the bark on the other tree - what is that Corky Bark Elm?
P.P.S. That particular Nebari is looking ok but judging by the age of the tree might also be looking a little stronger at this stage.

Good luck!