I have 3 three Shohin Elms two standard one suberosa. all on the same bench side by side. Receive the same amount of every thing, as in all the requirements to keep tree's healthy.
Now for the conundrum starting at the last one on the bench they are all going though the winter shedding of leaves as in colour and drying, and new buds on the tips of twigs and branches!!.
This has never happened this early and it is still warm has not gone below 18 at night for longer than about 1 hour. One tree I would swear was dead, the leaves are as brown dead leaves are and crisp, but the buds are there.
Is it possible the tree thinks it has been growing long enough so it has shut down for the season!?
I am treating them as if they have gone or going dormant less water and a bit of seasol, instead of fertiliser. I will keep you posted.
I would like to know if any one can answer though.
Cheers
Pup
taking the top half of trees of since 2005! 
you will also notice some of your other deciduos trees will also drop leaves, mayne not all of them but some will, some might only even patially drop there leaves.
) you should say this Pup. Only 4 or 5 weeks ago I had the exact thing happen to my very first bonsai. Almost like complete dormancy (which this tree has never acheived). Only for the new growth to wither and do the same. It to was a Saburosa, bought from Peter about 8 yrs ago 
