English Elm

[Watto]

I have a shohin English Elm that was dug quite a few years ago now (ironically from a cow paddock) during a dig that was organised by the Goulburn Bonsai Society. I call it a shohin but some may not as it stands about 23 cm tall, its in an old Japanese pot, but I am thinking of changing the planting angle when it comes time to re-pot in August and I am seeking your advice or suggestions. If you think it looks OK as it is well that will save some time during the re-pot.
Thanks in advance.

[bodhidharma]

I like the first angle Watto and i reckon if you could organise a branch to cascade down on the bottom right hand side you would be on a winner.

[treeman]

The last angle for me. (more stable appearence) And perhaps a round pot with straighter sides?

[Watto]

Thanks for your thoughts. I hadn't considered bringing the right hand branch down but that certainly has merit. I too am starting to lean towards the lok in the last photo.

[Steven]

I like the last angle too Watto. Nice tree
What is the history?
Regards,
Steven

[Rory]

If you plan on keeping the length of the first right branching at that length, then I would agree with the last photo.

But if you plan on reducing the length of the first right branching, then I would go with the first photo.

[Boics]

Last pic for me.

Rather than bringing branches down i'd be inclined to see if you could angle them all more upwards?

I think the first RH branch would look a bit strange being well beyond the horizontal.

[Pearcy001]

I like the original potting angle with the first right hand branch cascading down. In saying that you may end up with a large gap in your canopy depending on how far you need to bring it down, so possibly the last angle.

Cheers,
Pearcy.

[hard1all]

Watto,

I like it as is, first photo.

But, I'd shorten the branches on the right and lengthen those on the left.

[MoGanic]

Hi there,

Thanks for posting this little gem, I really love English Elms.

For the angle mate, honestly, I like it just the way it is, but the first right hand branch appears a little too thick and seems to look more like a continuation of the trunk than a branch. For this reason, I would follow the suggestion to tilt to the right and allow the right hand branch to lengthen and wire it down as far as required to create a semi-cascade style tree (though probably more semi and less cascade given the height of the trunk).

Cheers,
Mo

[Steven]

One little tree, so many options and opinions. None are right or wrong, they are all options and would probably all make for a nice tree.
That's one of the things I really love about bonsai

[MoGanic]

One little tree, so many options and opinions. None are right or wrong, they are all options and would probably all make for a nice tree.
That's one of the things I really love about bonsai

[Watto]

I think this was dug in about 2008, give or take a year but the first photo I have was when I potted it into the current pot in August 2011, and I have attached a photo just for interest. You can tell from that photo it was a sucker that developed.
The suggestions are excellent and I will make a decision before August (re-potting time) and show you all. In many instances I need good artists to bounce ideas off so I can improve my trees but so many good ideas makes it difficult. Steven summed it up well with the so many good ideas and only one tree comment.
Thanks

[GavinG]

Watto, would you consider leaning it over quite strongly to the right? Not quite a semi-cascade, but damn near. That way, the right 'branch" clearly becomes the trunk, and there's a flow to it right out to the tip. Smallish, deepish pot. Just my 2c.

Gavin

[Watto]

Thanks Gavin. I spent some time today holding this tree up, down and around about trying to visualises the best look. Still undecided but I am confident it will come to me.