Chinese Elm advice [first poster]

[Ware-bonsai]

Hi guys,

My name is Matthew and I'm from southern Sydney. This is my first post (so be gentle) and yeah would like some advice on a chinese elm i have been growing in a large pot for 5+ years.

I've taken it out of the large pot and moved it into a fruit shop foam special
I have given it quite a good hair cut and was going to cut it right back but not sure how much i can do without killing it. What i'm after is just some advice on how to proceed really from this stage. I'm open to any and every style and not set on anything at this stage. As per my bonsai skill i'd rate myself very much a novice

Below is a close up of the trunk and it breaking off into a V.



The image below just shows what is left in terms of leaves. I was wanting to cut it right back to the V at the trunk and remove all the height but not sure if i would kill it or not since it has just been repotted?



The image below shows where i removed 2 large branches. There is a pretty big knot going to form here and i was thinking of craving this all out to the base to give the trunk some character. I was also thinking that because the trunk splits off into a V this would suit a broom style elm?

[Fish]

Welcome to the site too mate. I am new here also, I have found nothing but helpful threads and great people to talk to, sure you will enjoy as well.

This is going to be one nice piece of work Matt. I have got a Elm coming today which I have been led to believe it has a bit of age to it, so let me know how yours goes and what you find works better. I will probably use some ideas.

[alpineart]

Hi Ware bonsai , i usually don't give advice on how to style a tree , This has got very good character ,nice taper , movement and aging bark .If it was mine i would remove the lower branch and remove the apexs 50-70mm above the fork "V". Then allow the whole tree to regrow , choosing the branches you require for informal upright , broom , Slanting style depending on your preference .If i did chop the top i would also pay special to the roots and spread them as flat as possible radially .In 1 season you would have an abundance of branches and foliage to work with .This is only an opinion .Cheers Alpineart

[Pup]

G,day Ware Bonsai, and welcome to the affliction called Bonsai.
Were this tree mine I would cut of all the heavy branches, then wait for new shoots as Alpineheart suggested. When I say all heavy, that is all the branches, at least the first 3. Then look at all the movement you have.

Then start designing you tree from there.

Cheers Pup

[kcpoole]

Hi ware

Like both alpine and Pup say, Cut back hard above the V, ( leaving no leaves or branches, and then it will shoot out everywhere biving lots of options to style next year.

After you get new growth, fedd and fertilise and then next winther you can decide on the future styling of the tree

Ken

[Ware-bonsai]

Hi guys,

Thanks for all the advice. It seems Elms are pretty hard to kill, i wasn't sure how aggressively i could cut them back but it seems if i was so inclined i could take the top right off and it would come back given its well feed and watered etc.

I'm a bit of a visual guy so i did a real rough cut guide so i can better understand what you guys are seeing and explaining.



Is this what you guys are seeing?

Once again, thanks for your help.

[Asus101]

Advice? Clean the mess before the missus kills you.

[Pup]

Yes but also the heavy one on the left and stay with the middle one as it is in you virtual.

Cheers Pup

[Ware-bonsai]

Advice? Clean the mess before the missus kills you.

haha Thanks Asus very wise advice there and yeah in Sydney we have been getting heavy rain so cleaning is a constant battle. Luckily my wife is very understanding and doesn't mind a little bit of mess.

Yes but also the heavy one on the left and stay with the middle one as it is in you virtual.

Cheers Pup

Thanks Pup i understand now. I'll have a look at it tonight but won't cut just yet. If there is any other advice or ideas i'd be happy to hear.

Thanks everyone for taking the time to reply though its good to get some feedback and advice to go forward.

[LLK]

Interpretation of Pup's advice. This would give you a trunk with movement and taper.

[Ware-bonsai]

Hey guys,

Thanks for your help, i had a look at it and yeah i liked all your suggestions. As you can see below I've cut off all major branches, thanks LLK for giving me a precise cut diagram. It helped a lot and i really like the shape the trunk makes and the movement and taper it has. Can't wait for it to start to bud and grow back so i can start see where branches will be placed

So here is the trunk. Thats at A4 paper behind it so it would photography better, but also give you an idea of size.

[soda]

Advice? Clean the mess before the missus kills you.

Possibly the most accurate advice ever read on here. Thanks for making me laugh Asus101, good to see I'm not on my own.

Welcome aboard and love the way this has turned out.

[Ware-bonsai]

A little update on my elm.
Its a tough little plant as elms are i am pleased to say!
After removing 99.9% of branches and leaves it sat there dormant for 10 days without much change, but i went out and checked this morning and the trunk is covered in little red buds... over the coming week i expect to see all new growth start exploding! On an extra positive note, a lot of the buds are in areas where i was hoping to position branches so all is good with this little trooper

[jeremy_norbury]

I'd have cut it at the first scar - lopped it all off.

[Ware-bonsai]

haha thanks Jeremy,

I'm kinda liking it as is, tonight if there is enough light when i get home from work i'm going to post some pics up because all new growth has exploded (as i didnt cut back any roots to encourage growth).

The brilliant thing is there are a lot of new sprouts and some exactly where i want them : )