Privet Stump split-trunk Carving

[kvan64]

I remember jamie posted about his chinese elm stump design. viewtopic.php?f=104&t=2006&hilit=chinese+elm&start=45
I tried to talk him to seriously carve it without success
Since then I've been looking for a similar speciment and more common (less rare) to work on and do what I wanted to be done on the chinese elm stump and I found this privet stump. I hope that this would help pursuade you to get back and do more serious carving on your chinese elm stump jamie. It 's been several days and the stump is doing great with no sign of illness yet :):)

[Jamie]

interesting DK! im a bit worried bout my elm at the moment actually. i think i have lost the whole top of it has died back, so it might end up getting chopped right back or carved right down just yet, i need to get it to shoot first, its sulking at the moment, so i wont be doing anything with it until it comes back nice and strong

nice work on yours though, i like it


jamie

[Glenda]

I have found the chinese elms shoot back easily. I even took home some off-cuts of chinese and japanese elms from the last local bonsai club I attended and they have taken well. Shoots all over the place. What I need to know now is how do I tell chinese from japanese (Zelkova, aren't they?)

[Jamie]

I have found the chinese elms shoot back easily. I even took home some off-cuts of chinese and japanese elms from the last local bonsai club I attended and they have taken well. Shoots all over the place. What I need to know now is how do I tell chinese from japanese (Zelkova, aren't they?)

they have different leaves, slightly different, not sure exactly what they are i just know its got to do with the serration i think, and the bark, japanese elm or zelcova generally have a grey smooth bark.

i think mine got sulky from root movement and pressure on the roots while carving.

jamie

[MelaQuin]

This sort of carving looks really great when the cambium starts rolling over the deadwood. To help that it is good to lower the carved level so the living wood is above it, making it easier for the callous to develop and roll. Just a thought. Your opening is nicely shaped.

[kvan64]

I'm not quite sure but have heard that Japanese elm leaves are more pointy. Jamie, I really hope that your stump will recover. I guess it's the right time for you to make good use of your ST
Mel, thanks for your suggestion. You are rite about lowering the deadwood comparing to the living bark. I'll see to that as soon as I get home tomorrow.
Cheers
DK

[Jamie]

hey DK,

yeah i have been giving it watering with ST and seasol alternately. only when it has dried out sufficiently enough, then a light water then the ST or seasol. yea i am pretty sure i have lost all the top, all branch work and apex, three years gone, if it survives then it means a coplete restyle!


jamie

[kvan64]

Just some updates for this stump. It has been transferred to a proper pot and now got some new growth for the folliage. The roots were heavily trimmed to fit and I thought it was gonna die.

[kvan64]

Oh, I am not sure if it better to go for broom style or clumps style for this plant. Any suggestion is much appreciated.

[Jamie]

broom, just like were you got the inspiration from mate the stump is looking absolutly great by the way

unfortunatly that elm you wanted me to do this on has passed, i am sure of it but will wait until spring to be certain, i am keeping it moist just in case but i think that is more for sentimental reason then anything.

jamie

[kvan64]

broom, just like were you got the inspiration from mate the stump is looking absolutly great by the way

unfortunatly that elm you wanted me to do this on has passed, i am sure of it but will wait until spring to be certain, i am keeping it moist just in case but i think that is more for sentimental reason then anything.

jamie

Oh sheet! I was hoping you would do that to this plant. Anyway, I know that you still have plently of the newly dug celtis ... to spare one for carving

[Jamie]

those celtis have plans mate already on the way, its hard to carve smaller stuff, trunks are only 2-3 inches in diameter, i did take some recent pics, check out the sunshine coast celtis dig thread

i have an olive that will be getting carved though

[kvan64]

Just some updated pic of what it is now after changing style from broom to informal.

[Loretta]

I think you've ended up doing the right thing with it ...it looks great. Alot more character and is now very interesting to look at. Look as though is got a story to tell!!!

Loretta

[anttal63]

Good work DK it is coming along nicely.