AusBonsai

Hi Guys,

Just wondering if anyone can give me their 2 bob or a virt or a 5 minute Paint drawing (like mine that I snuck in just then every time the boss turned his head lol)

A thousand thank yous

This tree is a Corky Bark Elm...and this is my first time drawing a bonsai lol I will download the virt software later at home

If you are prepared to grow the tree for a few years in a large pot to develop it into a exhibition quality tree, then I would suggest cutting the tree off about 150 mm from the soil level and grow a new leader. It doesn't have much taper as it is now.

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

I agree with Brian - the taper has to be improved. Either cut off the larger of the trunks at the fork if you aren't brave enough or air layer down low if you don't want to waste the top. Whack it into a grow box and grow it on to improve the taper. A sacrifice branch down low would help fatten the bottom as well

I agree with the previous comments. Not a lot to work with on this one.

I would airlayer about 1/2 way between the soil and the bend and this use then cut off the straighter of the 2 trunks.
This will give a new lower trunk with movement to grow a new top section on, as well as cutting back the base real hard to give a much shorter trunk to regrow a tree on.

Ken

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

Brian wrote:If you are prepared to grow the tree for a few years in a large pot to develop it into a exhibition quality tree, then I would suggest cutting the tree off about 150 mm from the soil level and grow a new leader. It doesn't have much taper as it is now.

Hi Brian

Thanks for your reply. I did not even think about taper to be honest!! Thanks for making me regret buying this tree just kidding but growing a new leader would def solve that problem. Thank you

Bougy Fan wrote:I agree with Brian - the taper has to be improved. Either cut off the larger of the trunks at the fork if you aren't brave enough or air layer down low if you don't want to waste the top. Whack it into a grow box and grow it on to improve the taper. A sacrifice branch down low would help fatten the bottom as well

Good Day Mr Bougy,

Thank you. Do you think if I cut off the larger trunk part of the Y (as in my photo-I put a red zigzag thru it) and then just grew sacrificial branches down low....that would help the taper? Could I get a taper on that method alone? Any more Aces's up your sleeve Mr Bougy ? or anyone else's about getting good taper?

kcpoole wrote:I agree with the previous comments. Not a lot to work with on this one.

I would airlayer about 1/2 way between the soil and the bend and this use then cut off the straighter of the 2 trunks.
This will give a new lower trunk with movement to grow a new top section on, as well as cutting back the base real hard to give a much shorter trunk to regrow a tree on.

Ken

Mr Ken!!!

That sounds great. I think I understood...may I kindly ask if you could explain your last comment in a step by step instruction? sorryy!!!!!! I came back from the dentist this arvo and they gave me panadeine Forte...its making me dopey

Thank you Sir

and the more I look at the tree now, the more it looks like a giant novelty toothpick in a bucket....saying blank canvas is just being nice to me

lol just kidding, thanks guys

LOL - Hey Billa, I'd think airlayering it about half way up may e a good way two get 2 trees for your $300!

Every toothpick has redeeming features - you just need patience!

Hi Billa
check out this thread on how to grow tree with taper and movement.

Layer off the top section, and then with stump, regrow it using the methods outlined in this thread here viewtopic.php?f=7&t=8312

Use the same process to recreate the top section too as a second tree.

Ken