AusBonsai

Hi all

Below is a celtis I grabbed from a neighbour's garden that had self sown in a very difficult to reach place and left to grow untouched. The roots were all over the place so i cut it at the widest part of the base and covered it with hormone powder and the result you see is from just over a year ago. I'm actally quite surprised it has kicked on and not kicked the bucket!

I'm now ready to take off non beneficial branches and begin some initial styling. Should i leave the low down branches to assist with thickening the trunk or take them off as they are still so small? I have several choices for a new leader. I am unsure whether this tree lends itself to a broom style or informal upright? Being dead straight i think broom style, with some carving down the track.... similar to the well known Chinese elm of 'Craig' .

I am not sure if i originally cut too high, as this new leader will be quite high and although there is plenty of regrowth, it is all up high and not too low. You'll see I made the initial cut as a diagonal, rather than straight across, which i will not do in future.

Views and opinions appreciated

Cheers

Stew

I would pick the highest branch that can straighten the best as a new leader and then cut the other 2 off. Leave the lowest branch there is as a sacrifice to help thicken the base and assist with taper. Feed, feed, feed it and let it go for 12 months

Thanks Tony

I was hoping to ge a few more opinions from other members......

Am i off the track thinking this could make a broom style for a celtis?

Stewart,

Celtis does lend it self to the broom style. without a great deal of taper in the trunk ir would be a good option.

Thanks DB

In the final pic of mine, how many vertical branches would be desirable to start the broom inital stages? two or three and should they emerge from a uniform or slightly different part of the ttrunk top? I have quite a few choices and not sure which is the beter options.

Mate,

The branches you have already look quite thick. I would be inclined to start with a new straight cut across the trunk at an appropriate height and start again. Celtis back bud easily especially at this time of year, choose a few branches to keep and start the process of pinching back early to ensure a nice tight broom. I personally prefer lighter more delicate branches on a broom, especially when you have them defoliated.

Cheers

Mark