AusBonsai

Hi all ,this elm has been progressing over the last decade of more .Originally a landscape tree in my yard its fate was sealed when a drunk Motorcycle rider tried to drag the Boys in Blue off and took a short cut through my yard .He aerial stunt from the top terrace and landed smack on top of the tree before slamming into the house . I removed the trunk and this is the result of 10 years of trimming each year after leaf out . Originally about 500mm high it has progressed to 850mm ,the bottom branch is only in its 6th year compared to the rest of the structure and is a little reluctant to thicken .Whilst i like this tree i'm considering layering the top off back to around 500mm or the 4th branch . Input welcome and yes i'm thick skinned and the tree is my design warts and all . I'll let the tree do the talking .Cheers

Hi! Well, I'm possibly the greenest beginner here, but I think it looks absolutely marvelous as it is!

Also, I was still unsure of what tree to go with as one of my first bonsai, and I think you just sold me on Chinese Elm... it was in the top 5 already, but now I'm definitely keen

Chinese elms ( Ulmus parvifolia ) are apical dominant, so you have to keep your eye on that. The reason for the lower branch not developing well is partly to blame on that. The other reason is that when you prune for appearance you also prune that branch!.

To control growth on trees is done by selective pruning and pinching.
The part you want to thicken is left while the rest is pruned.

Like defoliation the branch you want to thicken is left alone while you defoliate the rest.
Like the weak and strong parts on Conifers you leave the weak buds while pinching the strong ones.

Air Layering a Chinese elm is one of the easiest to do. It will be ready in about six weeks if you do at the right time.
Using the ring bark method.
Good luck Pup

Japh wrote:Hi! Well, I'm possibly the greenest beginner here, but I think it looks absolutely marvelous as it is!

Also, I was still unsure of what tree to go with as one of my first bonsai, and I think you just sold me on Chinese Elm... it was in the top 5 already, but now I'm definitely keen

Hi Japh , these elms are very easy to work with this particular tree has mainly had scissor trimming to shape very little wiring as i don't like wiring in part or whole .Cheers

Thanks for the information and for starting the thread. I've bookmarked and subscribed to it for future reference