AusBonsai

A new piece of stock arrived on my bench over the weekend that has quite a history & more than a bit of meaning, a chinese elm started in the late 80's from a nursery tree of about 3-4'. It has some strengths & interesting features but also some issues that even the grower was open with me about, I was also given one design clue.

One problem, I have ZERO experience bending Ulmus parvifolia... that has never stopped me with trees I source raw, with generational trees respecting the intent & wishes of its original grower is an issue. Dimensions of trunk are 35mm at nebari 15mm at last major chop 450mm high.. I have been reading up where I can but interested to see if anyone has managed to get nice sharp bends without wedge cutting. The design I am working on will have numerous uro & other small scale scars so keyhole work is possible.

Any advice, thoughts, comments, tips, experience to share I would appreciate the input.
^(psych most welcome)

Photos please Sir Matthew, it sounds interesting. For my 2c worth, they're not nearly as easy to bend as conifers, but much easier to re-direct by cutting, and the angles are crisper. Mind you, having seen what you did to the Camellia, I've no doubt you have something disgraceful in mind.

Cheers,

Gavin

It helps if you let it dry out Matt. Lots of Raffia and pre movement before you go for the big bend. By pre movement i mean bending it back and forth to make it pliable. Could also go for the drill out technique, then Raffia and then bend it. I have snapped a trunk and the tree just kept powering on.

Whats this Sir business??? It is B to you OB In an ideal world I would grow the trunkline, but then it wouldnt have the history of this one, my torture just another in its lifetime... no piccies this is a scouting mission to gleam any last bits of theory. The plan fits the design hint given & why it was given to me so your close with your comparison...

Bodhi, that is pure gold, thankyou. I am not afraid of cracking but most of my usual 'experiments' are informed by previous attempts on garden material, in this instance...

Ps one of the highlights is the roots thus the first bend is planned at the most strategic point should all else go wrong

Gavin, still no pic of the tree to be used but had a little doodle while waiting in pre-op. Diasgraceful enough?

I really like the drawing MattA... now I just need to find some tree stock

Good luck.