AusBonsai

I have a shohin English Elm that was dug quite a few years ago now (ironically from a cow paddock) during a dig that was organised by the Goulburn Bonsai Society. I call it a shohin but some may not as it stands about 23 cm tall, its in an old Japanese pot, but I am thinking of changing the planting angle when it comes time to re-pot in August and I am seeking your advice or suggestions. If you think it looks OK as it is well that will save some time during the re-pot.
Thanks in advance.

I like the first angle Watto and i reckon if you could organise a branch to cascade down on the bottom right hand side you would be on a winner.

The last angle for me. (more stable appearence) And perhaps a round pot with straighter sides?

Thanks for your thoughts. I hadn't considered bringing the right hand branch down but that certainly has merit. I too am starting to lean towards the lok in the last photo.

I like the last angle too Watto. Nice tree
What is the history?
Regards,
Steven

If you plan on keeping the length of the first right branching at that length, then I would agree with the last photo.

But if you plan on reducing the length of the first right branching, then I would go with the first photo.

Last pic for me.

Rather than bringing branches down i'd be inclined to see if you could angle them all more upwards?

I think the first RH branch would look a bit strange being well beyond the horizontal.

I like the original potting angle with the first right hand branch cascading down. In saying that you may end up with a large gap in your canopy depending on how far you need to bring it down, so possibly the last angle.

Cheers,
Pearcy.

Watto,

I like it as is, first photo.

But, I'd shorten the branches on the right and lengthen those on the left.

Hi there,

Thanks for posting this little gem, I really love English Elms.

For the angle mate, honestly, I like it just the way it is, but the first right hand branch appears a little too thick and seems to look more like a continuation of the trunk than a branch. For this reason, I would follow the suggestion to tilt to the right and allow the right hand branch to lengthen and wire it down as far as required to create a semi-cascade style tree (though probably more semi and less cascade given the height of the trunk).

Cheers,
Mo

One little tree, so many options and opinions. None are right or wrong, they are all options and would probably all make for a nice tree.
That's one of the things I really love about bonsai

Steven wrote:One little tree, so many options and opinions. None are right or wrong, they are all options and would probably all make for a nice tree.
That's one of the things I really love about bonsai

I think this was dug in about 2008, give or take a year but the first photo I have was when I potted it into the current pot in August 2011, and I have attached a photo just for interest. You can tell from that photo it was a sucker that developed.
The suggestions are excellent and I will make a decision before August (re-potting time) and show you all. In many instances I need good artists to bounce ideas off so I can improve my trees but so many good ideas makes it difficult. Steven summed it up well with the so many good ideas and only one tree comment.
Thanks

Watto, would you consider leaning it over quite strongly to the right? Not quite a semi-cascade, but damn near. That way, the right 'branch" clearly becomes the trunk, and there's a flow to it right out to the tip. Smallish, deepish pot. Just my 2c.

Gavin

Thanks Gavin. I spent some time today holding this tree up, down and around about trying to visualises the best look. Still undecided but I am confident it will come to me.