AusBonsai

Hi Teachers (Sensei according to Pup),

This is my homework for the week.

I do my homework very Tuesday after I got my pocket money from my wife. She gave me $20 extra this week to stimulate the economy. I rushed to a Bonsai Nursery and picked a Chinese Elm for $55.

Rushed home and cut $30 away. Then I carved and painted it, root-pruned it, wired it a bit and potted it.

Will wire it further to refine the foliage once I am convinced it can survive this operation.

As a beginner, I am open to any nasty comments, So, come-on in and shoot………………..

Intresting work and style. I would consider chopping where marked and regrow the top a little shorter and more balanced maybe.

G/Day!Bonbon,
It sure sounds like your freedom is only confined to your Bonsai, although what happens when the wife finds you overspent your pocket money?
So where are the photos? It sounds like you have your act together. Processing your tree right through to the pot is the sign of experience. Maybe you are a silent sensei?
We need to see the photos to judge your self stated humble level of experience.
or is Bonbon a burglar? (golf terminology)

Now the photo is up I must congratulate you on a fine one day performance.
To process your tree to this stage in the one sitting is very good work,
I can agree with soltan to take off the top portion.
Mind you, you will have a few extra thoughts once you have looked at your creation more.
I would like to also see a little more carving towards the top of the tree to show a more gradual taper where the step down to the upper portion of the tree is so prominent.
Well done!.......eHHH! student/sensei........

Maybe it should be called "Homework for the Weak". The weak can see here a strong minded person doing a style of tree they like and not feeling compelled to conform to other peoples likes or dislikes..

I say bravo! This will not look like just another tree in a few years time. It is very elegant for such a short while in training and has its own appeal.

Well done.

Grant

great work bonbon

i really like the line of this one, the top section adds to this so i would be careful making the chop decision straight away.
obviosuly you could regrow for better taper etc and in a couple of years, hey presto...

but if it were my tree, id want to see this tree how it is for a while.

Nice Work Bonbon

Just a couple of years & hey presto.

Well Done, keep up the good work.

Cheers
Skip

Thank you everyone for your comments.
I think I will let it regain it's vigor before I decide what to do next. Once the foliage build up a bit, the trunk taper will improve, I hope.

Honest to you all, I actually don't dare to cut off anymore. My wife is really upset about me buying trees only to cut off more than half and dispose.

She told me yesterday "Cut off anymore, you will never have the chance to stimulate the economy again.................."

The 'literati' styling is unusual to see with broadleaf trees. I too, do this, with no fear of departing from tradition. More power to your elbow Bonbon. The bit at the very apex does look slightly out of character but perhaps madam will smack if you take any more off.
(Do it when she's not looking. Then you can blame the 'wild life') Keep beavering.

I will try to quote Walters words.
If your wife looks at the tree and then you work on it and then in the afternoon you show her the tree and she says "Oh this is terrible it was so much better before" Then you did a good job.