My Chinese Elm progression

Forum for discussion of Deciduous bonsai – Maples, Crabapple, Hornbeam, Elm species etc.
Andrew Legg
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 1404
Joined: June 24th, 2010, 6:23 pm
Favorite Species: The ones that don't die
Bonsai Age: 15
Bonsai Club: Oyama Bonsai Kai, Ausbonsai
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Been thanked: 2 times

Re: My Chinese Elm progression

Post by Andrew Legg »

Hi Treehugger,

I've watched this thread with interest as I also enjoy elms. Something has been bothering me though, and it's time for me to pipe up! :whistle:

Firstly, good job so far mate. I think you have grown the tree pretty well. As elms are fast growers and typically apical ly dominant, I think it's time to ask the difficult question, and potentially take a plunge to get this tree looking really good. The suggestion is simply, from what I can see of the tree's early development, it is a bit taperless and the trunk is very thin higher up. Elms grow like stink, so, were this tree mine, I'd consider cutting it down by about 30% in height and then just let all branches grow uncut for a full season. This will do two things. Firstly :whistle: it will make the tree look rubbish for a while, and secondly it will with a stroke of luck make the trunk thicker relative to the tree size. :tu: You can regrow the canopy in the two years that follow while cutting back the entire tree hard in the dormant period, or potentially twice annually if it grows strongly.

So the reason for this treatment is to improve the tree's trunk thickness relative to it's branch structure, which gives a better impression of age, while at the same time getting good taper and shape to your branches. Of course this is best done in a growing on pot.

Here's a link to my competition elm. Take note of how I cut back hard for good basic structure early on and grew from there. I think you can improve this basic structure in your tree. viewtopic.php?f=140&t=9055

Cheers,

Andrew
Last edited by Andrew Legg on November 15th, 2014, 7:05 am, edited 1 time in total.
TreeHugger
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 58
Joined: April 30th, 2012, 11:18 pm
Favorite Species: Japanese Maples,Chinese elms
Bonsai Age: 3
Bonsai Club: South Australian Bonsai Society Inc
Location: Adelaide

Re: My Chinese Elm progression

Post by TreeHugger »

Thanks all for your words of encouragement and kind words.

Thank you Andrew for taking the time to pass on your advice.... I have to say I'm slightly shattered by what you said but it makes total sense. I thought I had a tree pretty close to being a bonsai and now you've given me more to think about, which is much appreciated :worship:
Had a good look at your link too.....nice work!! I'm elm inspired :tu:
Andrew Legg
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 1404
Joined: June 24th, 2010, 6:23 pm
Favorite Species: The ones that don't die
Bonsai Age: 15
Bonsai Club: Oyama Bonsai Kai, Ausbonsai
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Been thanked: 2 times

Re: My Chinese Elm progression

Post by Andrew Legg »

LOL. Sorry bud. I've come to a realisation that made my bonsai better. Is it the best it can be, and if not, make the change now and don't waste time. Be ruthless. This tree is a perfect candidate for this treatment. It's a nice little tree with the leaves on because you can't see the problems I described. Question is, do you want a nice little tree, or do you want a kick-ass one? It's the investment in kick-ass and unique that I'm trying to get myself to make in my trees.

Good luck.
TreeHugger
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 58
Joined: April 30th, 2012, 11:18 pm
Favorite Species: Japanese Maples,Chinese elms
Bonsai Age: 3
Bonsai Club: South Australian Bonsai Society Inc
Location: Adelaide

Re: My Chinese Elm progression

Post by TreeHugger »

IMG_3584.JPG
IMG_3588.JPG
IMG_3589.JPG
IMG_3591.JPG
IMG_3592.JPG
Time for a progression update on this Chinese elm
I carved the saw cut of the straight second branch that you can see in the earlier pics
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Last edited by TreeHugger on October 15th, 2016, 11:32 pm, edited 2 times in total.
TreeHugger
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 58
Joined: April 30th, 2012, 11:18 pm
Favorite Species: Japanese Maples,Chinese elms
Bonsai Age: 3
Bonsai Club: South Australian Bonsai Society Inc
Location: Adelaide

Re: My Chinese Elm progression

Post by TreeHugger »

Time for a progression update on this Chinese elm
I carved the saw cut of the straight second branch that you can see in the earlier pics[/quote]

[quote="TreeHugger"]
IMG_3584.JPG
IMG_3588.JPG
IMG_3589.JPG
IMG_3591.JPG
IMG_3592.JPG
TreeHugger
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 58
Joined: April 30th, 2012, 11:18 pm
Favorite Species: Japanese Maples,Chinese elms
Bonsai Age: 3
Bonsai Club: South Australian Bonsai Society Inc
Location: Adelaide

Re: My Chinese Elm progression

Post by TreeHugger »

Hi, can admin please delete this and the above post time stamped 2:13pm
It was a mistake and I'm not sure how to delete this from my phone
Thanks
Lee
TreeHugger
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 58
Joined: April 30th, 2012, 11:18 pm
Favorite Species: Japanese Maples,Chinese elms
Bonsai Age: 3
Bonsai Club: South Australian Bonsai Society Inc
Location: Adelaide

Re: My Chinese Elm progression

Post by TreeHugger »

2AD1704D-C1FD-4949-9449-3B22AA74C973.jpeg
It’s been 4 years since I last updated the progression of this Chinese elm.
I think it’s coming along nicely.

Constructive comments appreciated
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
TreeHugger
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 58
Joined: April 30th, 2012, 11:18 pm
Favorite Species: Japanese Maples,Chinese elms
Bonsai Age: 3
Bonsai Club: South Australian Bonsai Society Inc
Location: Adelaide

Re: My Chinese Elm progression

Post by TreeHugger »

429DCE90-2B55-416A-A5FF-05553118FF10.jpeg
Calloused over from original second trunk removal way back when.

After some sound advice from Andrew I couldn’t bring myself to chopping the trunk and starting again
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Post Reply

Return to “Deciduous”