Chinese Elm hollowed broom

[alpineart]

Good progression Alpine.

I like your style, you think of doing a project and then just go for it - and no pussy-footing around! Where there's a will........

Be interesting to see this with those three leaders fused together. Do you think there would be a danger of snapping them all off the remnants of the trunk?

Hi Dwi , No good pussy footing around , never get the work done. I was concerned when i rotated the lower sections below the first branches that i may dislodge the leaders ..Rotating 90degree's in 60mm is a big ask but the OH BUGGER moment was when i put the bends in after rotating possibly over stretch the fibers .The plan is to compress the base of the leaders as they are using a worm drive hose clamp , this will produce the hollowed sections and meet about 50-60mm above the old stump top , then fuse and repeat another smaller hollow higher up using more hose clamps .

I can safely open up the area's required for fusing simply by slicing the raffia out and cutting a small section for wire out where the will touch .The remnant of the old trunk is about 6mm thick and quite pliable so i will have to do it over the coming weeks if it to happen at all .The old trunk may distort some-what but to me thats character .Cheers Alpine

[alpineart]

Hi Dario , rarely do i use a wood hardener, i fact i dont think i have ever used one .I have used Steri-prune but that's more for the asthetics because i don't particularly like Bleached Blondes .I did used lime sulphur on a couple of Phoenix Grafts but i should have added some black ink or paint to tone it down .The apex of the old trunk was as "Hard as a cats head" when i drilled it .No rot in there over the last 10 years so i wouldn't bother with hardeners . Steri- prune should be re-applied about twice a year until the timber dries and hardens naturally . Cheers Alpine

[chiah]

great work.. and interesting.... thanks for posting...

[alpineart]

Thank Chiah , its been a good project .Cheers Alpineart

[alpineart]

With such a perfect day for a good snow shower i decided another R D O "required day off" was on the cards .Just finished playing with my obsolete broom . Now i have a hollow trunk informal upright .

100_8262.jpg

Very happy with the final design . On to the next project trainer. Cheers Alpineart

[cre8ivbonsai]

Wow nice progression and transformation! ... you've given me the inspiration of how to tackle a problematic tree of my own
Thanks, Ryan

[alpineart]

Hi cre8ivbonsai , thats what its about . Creative Bonsai .Cheers Alpine

[Matthew]

alpine im sure you could of made a great torturer for any government wanting information im hearing that snow just about to fall. MAN its cold! i havent seen my bonsai in 3 days

[alpineart]

Hi Mathew , mate my roots go back to Robert the Bruce , stretching racks , burn them at the stake , be-head them .Fun and games .Its bloody cold alright , now this is winter even for me .You might end up with a good dusting tonight , makes a real nice photo of your Bonsai .I have one here somewhere when it dumped 4 inches of snow in December 27 2001, mate it was Summer then .Cheers Alpine

[Jamie]

heres one idea I had a play with Alpine

its probably a little more informal upright/pine style than you are after but I am still having a play around and this one sort of just flowed while I was virting

virt for alpine elm 2.jpg

more to follow

Jamie

[alpineart]

Hi Jamie , looks like the tree now .Can you add a full airy broom type canopy top 50% and thicken the branch pads but open and expose the hollowed trunk above the 3 main branches to this vert .Bloody big ask Looks pretty close to the idea now .Mate i have got to learn to use these boat anchors better and do this vert caper . I have programs but i need a program to help me learn the program .Thanks for the effort .Cheers Alpine

[Jamie]

hi mate

not a prob, you know i am happy to help where i can, i will get onto the stuff your asking for mate!

what i will do when i get the time in the near future i will do a how to on virtuals and try and make it easy to follow and understand honestly there isnt a great deal to what i do, mostly it is cut and paste of other pictures that i make into the one tree. i have a few little tricks that does make things easier sharing is caring after all

jamie

[Jamie]

gday Alpine

here is an updated virt for you with some foliage on it and some deadwood, could really hollow the trunk right out if you like?

virt for alpine elm 2.2.jpg

and a slightly different option again -

virt for alpine elm 3.jpg

hope it helps dunno if you seen but i have also put up a virtual tutorial on how I do them.

jamie

[alpineart]

Hi Jamie , now that's getting close to what i envisage it will be just i hollow up the trunk and expose the mid section .Iplan to grow the tree up another 100-150mm so exposing the trunk line will be a priority ...I'm not keen on formal brooms so in this virtual its a better looking tree now than the tree i started with .Thanks for you efforts , and yes i have had a look at the HOW TOO , now all i need to do is get me old head around it .Very basic once explained , but a real minefield if you don't understand BOAT ANCHOUR Lingo . Cheers Alpine

[alpineart]

Well the torture is over and only one casualty which happened to be a main side branch . The hose clamp done the job required to reduced the bulge in the base .

100_8931.jpg

Now it can grow on and fuse the apexes together . The mid section wrapped is only for movement and to enhance the hollow sections from the base to the apex .

100_8932.jpg

In need of a good trim but i will allow this free reign for this season to aid fusing of the apexes and to thicken and strengthen the the original 3 leaders . Cheers Alpineart