New Elm: Style Advice

[DustyRusty]

Hi Everyone,

Been Bonsaiing for awhile now but only have a few. Still have a long way to go. My sister bought me a Chinese Elm 'Seiji' for my birthday. Looks really healthy and can't wait till next winter to put it into shape. But for the life of me i just can't see an obvious style for it. It has a good thick trunk but it is very short and straight. The main branches don't taper all that well either. I'm think either: 1) removing most of the main branches and working for a Broom style; or 2) training one of the main branches into an informal upright of some kind.

But i would love some advice from those more experienced with the design sign of things about what sort of style may suit this tree. Photos attached: i realise from photos there's only so much you can see, but any advice will help. I dug around the base of the trunk to the point where the main roots were.

Thanks!

DR

[kcpoole]

looks Healthy

in the 3rd photo I see 3 branches coming out of the same location? I would keep the one on the left of the bend, and the upper trunk section would be the thickest one heading towards the back right side.
The other branches would be removed ( make nice Cuttings). If you left them they will swell the area there and create reverses taper.

From there it is a bit hard to see what is going on, but the new apex would be cut back to a suitable branch, Or cut back and wait for backbudding to give you one
The bottom branch on the left will be cut back hard too

This clean out will allow you to see the complete trunk and lines to decide further action.

Ken

[shibui]

Seiju elm has really great foliage but has the tendency to grow really straight sections as this one has. The solution is to prune hard to break the strong, straight areas and create movement with sub branches or new shoots that will grow after pruning.

This tree looks like it could produce a really nice small broom style - just prune all the branches back to short stumps and wait for them to sprout new shoots, let it grow then cut back a little higher. Continue cut and grow until you develop a nice canopy.

It would also make a great informal upright - Lower trunk should not be vertical so tilt the tree a little to one side. Pick 1 of those main branches to continue the trunk after the first bend and remove all the others. Trunk will now have both movement and taper. Cut the new leader where the second bend is to be and allow a new shoot to grow to continue the trunk line on a new angle. Continue to cut and grow to develop a trunk with movement and taper. Allow branches to grow in appropriate places.

Both options will take a few yearsto develop but I cannot see an instant bonsai in those pics.

[DustyRusty]

Kc thanks for the thoughts! Shibui thanks for the advice on the styling. You're right, there's no instant bonsai here, guess that was my dilemma. I think you're right about the broom or Inf Up. I think i'll sitck with the former though. It will be a smallish tree when finished (around 28cm from roots to tip), but i think the fine branches and dense foliage could handle that. Informal Up. could work but i just really love brooms, but don't have one. And I think this species lends itself well to becoming a broom. So that's my decision! Although as tempting as it is to style it now, i'll wait till next winter so i'll have plently of time to think about it.

Thanks again!

DR