Chinese Elm

Post your bonsai for critique by members. Virtual designs and restyles are encouraged.
Post Reply
User avatar
Ben Thomas
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 135
Joined: August 5th, 2014, 9:38 am
Favorite Species: Maples
Bonsai Age: 1
Location: Sydney
Has thanked: 2 times
Been thanked: 1 time

Chinese Elm

Post by Ben Thomas »

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.ImageImageImage

Sent from my SM-A520F using Tapatalk
Watto
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 3965
Joined: July 6th, 2009, 8:17 am
Favorite Species: Plum
Bonsai Age: 0
Bonsai Club: Goulburn Bonsai Society
Location: Goulburn
Has thanked: 535 times
Been thanked: 1115 times

Re: Chinese Elm

Post by Watto »

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.
Check out my blog at http://www.ausbonsai.com.au/blog/Watto" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
shibui
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 7793
Joined: August 22nd, 2009, 8:41 pm
Favorite Species: trident maple
Bonsai Age: 41
Bonsai Club: Albury/Wodonga; BSV; Canberra; VNBC
Location: Yackandandah
Has thanked: 73 times
Been thanked: 1519 times
Contact:

Re: Chinese Elm

Post by shibui »

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.
http://shibuibonsai.com.au/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
User avatar
Ryceman3
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 2703
Joined: October 19th, 2014, 10:39 am
Favorite Species: Pines & Mels
Bonsai Age: 9
Location: Melbourne
Has thanked: 1112 times
Been thanked: 1783 times

Re: Chinese Elm

Post by Ryceman3 »

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.
User avatar
Grant Bowie
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 3810
Joined: February 18th, 2009, 3:22 pm
Favorite Species: Banksia
Bonsai Age: 52
Bonsai Club: Canberra
Location: Canberra
Been thanked: 348 times

Re: Chinese Elm

Post by Grant Bowie »

Maybe round out the apex to make it look older.

Grant
User avatar
Ben Thomas
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 135
Joined: August 5th, 2014, 9:38 am
Favorite Species: Maples
Bonsai Age: 1
Location: Sydney
Has thanked: 2 times
Been thanked: 1 time

Re: Chinese Elm

Post by Ben Thomas »

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

Cheers ImageImageImage

Sent from my SM-A520F using Tapatalk
anthonyW
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 889
Joined: May 19th, 2011, 1:35 pm
Favorite Species: Figs,Pines.
Bonsai Age: 0
Location: Illawarra NSW
Has thanked: 257 times
Been thanked: 118 times

Re: Chinese Elm

Post by anthonyW »

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.
php8lNCOGPM.jpg
phpYQo7trPM.jpg
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Last edited by anthonyW on December 30th, 2018, 3:18 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Post Reply

Return to “Critiques & Virtual Designs”