Andrew Legg wrote:Hey Billa,
Why do you want to style a pine tree with an elm? (something I'm very guilty of by the way

) I'd suggest you do two things:
1.) Ask yourself what it was that you liked about the tree when you decided to buy it, and how you can work on that vision;
2.) Look at photos of CB Elms on the net and get some inspiration.
The material you have shown does not have many features that allow people to build virts or provide design options (probably why you've had few responses). I think it's pretty much a blank canvass which is in my opinion a good thing and a bad thing. It means you have all the options open to you, but it also means its gonna be longer before you get a good tree. The good news is that elms are quick to develop, so the bad is not all that bad!
Cheers,
Andrew
Thank you Mr Legg,
Strange hey? lol I automatically thought of a Pine design for an elm...goes to show my creative boundaries lol
I think studying other corky bark elm designs is a GREAT start although I have to a degree (just about general care) read about them.
I bought it simply from a friends description and only saw it after I paid for it (very similar to the story of how I got married my

) and its only after that i started to think about taper (thank you brian) potential design and all the other important aspects im sure most others look for BEFORE buying. Well thats a good $300 lesson
Good thing elms are versatile...a air layer did cross my mind due to its size but -- there are always so many other ideas thrown around here at Ausbonsai and thats why I keep coming back!!
I thought in its current state a broom style could be achieved but still Im very undecided...
Always a pleasure Mr Legg - Thank you
