AusBonsai

I should also point out that i intended to leave a bit more height on it, but once i started the chainsaw cut i couldn't really go back.. I guess it could work in its favour in the future, like a large sumo-esque broom.

Crap that is huge!
going to take quite a few years to develop a realistic size canopy, but boy once you do it will be superb!

Ken

hehe yeah a tad ambitious for me but i can learn as i go. My next biggest stock tree is nowhere near that size..

hi there Birchman,
The elm looks great with the V cut....I think you will be glad you cut the height back a little in the process, as by the time you develop the canopy your proportion should be pretty close to spot on. I tend to agree with everyone who suggested reducing the root ball by at least 2/3's... all your new canopy work may suffer if done later. Good luck!
I too thought I would see just how bad my back was when I decided to dig one of the smaller swampys here at home back at the end of winter. I know it falls into the crazy category, as potted up it is a 4 man lift, but I had to give it a crack. It's just under 5foot high and has a base of around 28inches across. First pic is right after the dig sitting in a builders wheelbarrow full of seasol where it soaked for 3 days til I organized a bonsai pot big enough. Soil mix is 50% commercial bulk nursery and 50% 5-7mm Diatomite. last few pics are a couple of weeks ago showing healthy new shoots going from strength to strength.

More pics.... sorry for the extra posts... for some reason the previous one wont let me ad more pics???

where did you get that big boy from? he looks fantastic coming out the small pot.
Mal

What a beast!

WOW! What an impressive specimen. You received fantastic advise on this site right from the beginning and look at the rewards you are endearing.
Well done, mate.

Hi Shane,

I think i saw that swampie on another forum, it looks huge but should be an awesome tree with a few years training.