AusBonsai

Yeah, that's a good match!
Nice combo!

It has been quite cold of recent times and all my Chinese elms have lost their leaves, the last few dropping after the 2 minus 10's and we also had a minus 9 and minus 8. But not this one, it still has its clothes on (a bit tatty in places) where all the others are naked.
I did mention earlier that this tree was dug from the scrub and it does appear to grow surprisingly quickly, its tough, and it appears that the cold doesn't bother it. This one could be a keeper.
PS - must get back to the secret dig site before they are all gone!!!

Watto,
I like the way you've been training the direction of the apex on this one. Very pleasing & improving rapidly.

Looking very good Watto. Breed them tough out your way. Cheers John.

Well it that time of the year, the final posting. This has been a pleasing tree to work with and if it just had a little more foliage in the apex it would have been better, but the very cold winter we had this year has certainly had an impact on all bonsai in this area.
I am considering cutting the trunk on this and starting the top all over again to reduce the overall height and to take out the straight bits, but that decision won't be made for a while. That action would also take out the little bit of reverse taper that catches my eye sometimes. It also needs a smaller pot (if I could only convince Pat Kennedy to make one?) and a little bit of work on the root that extends on the right hand side, but there is plenty of time.
This just sneaked in under the 25 cm.
This has been a lot of fun and I would like to say thanks to Steven for all the effort he puts into this.

Wow!!!