Japanese Elm - info

[MoGanic]

Hey all,

Just purchased a Japanese elm from a nursery thinking that this, surely, would be a super popular plant. Got it home and had a look on this forum and really didn't see any Japanese Elm posts!? Any info as to why this beautiful tree isn't catching your attentions?

For those of you who are wondering, the leaves turn RED instead of yellow like a Chinese Elms would I prefer red.

Regards,
-Mo

[Luke308]

Is it a Zelkova serrata? That is sometimes called Japanese Elm, but it is obviously a different species. Googling Japanese elm it appears the correct botanical name is Ulmus davidiana var. japonica which is a variation of the "David elm".

I have never seen (Ulmus davidiana var. japonica) but zelkova's are pretty popular amongst the international bonsai community.

[MoGanic]

Oh, no it's definitely a Zelkova =]. Looks ugly as anything though, waiting for some inspiration to hit me! Currently it's a few years old and was the only one in the nursery We shall see where time takes it =]

[Luke308]

Zelkova's make fantastic broom form/style bonsai

[MoGanic]

Not this one sadly, doesn't have much hope except a very slow road to an informal upright with some character.

It had been cut down from four trunks to the single leader it now sports, and the remaining three trunk stubs were ugly as hell on the tree. I decided to whip out my rotary tool for some light carving while i ponder as to the height of the tree (currently also far to tall as the base does not look as powerful as it can). Pics of the carving below! Just rough stuff for now, will stain and perfect over time depending on what nature throws at it.

IMG_20120827_213015.jpg

IMG_20120827_221154.jpg

[GavinG]

Put it in the ground, get it thick, cut it back. Usual stuff. Zelkovas do this well.

Gavin