AusBonsai

Building foundation branches. I think THE most imortant thing for decidous trees!

A Silver Elm (Ulmus carpinifolia variegata)

Started from a cutting about 15 years ago. Ground grown for about half that time.
It's a real mess so I'm going to take my time with each branch.
It has many faults. The biggest by far is the apex (but I'll get to that later)
Other problems are the abrupt taper which I can't do much about and the severe lack of movement in every single branch. (I hate a straight line!!)
Most will need to be removed.
Right side (below)
Back
Left side
The first branch on the left after about 1/2 hour. Almost all the fine branches removed as well.
The main branch on the right had to be cracked before it would give. But so be it!
Main branch finished.....1 hour so far......
The Apex. Big problem here. Not only is it too straight, There are no branches down the stem and there is a huge ugly swelling.
Decided to brake out the brach splitter and remove half.
The front of the apex branch. Wired and twisted clockwize , out and up. Best I could do with this one. My big concern is that I may have cut off the supply of sap with the twisting. We will see but if it dies I will have to grow a whole new top
Finished. 4 hours later

Mike, a significant improvement in one sitting and I must say I'm very impressed with your quality of work.

Keep up posted on this one, I for one will be following religiously.

Thanks,
Mo

I like what you've done with what you have. The most common issue with trees that I see on here Is not enough taper.

How do you plan on fixing the abrupt taper?

What else do you have planned for the tree?

And how big is it?

Jarad wrote:

How do you plan on fixing the abrupt taper?

Nothing

What else do you have planned for the tree?

Now just a matter of slowly building branches - adding about 25mm a year. Some of these might get removed and replaced by better ones.

And how big is it?

See the matchbox

Another very interesting specimen Treeman.

Photo's make it appear twice the size it actually is!

Great work and what appears to be some very good choices in branch selection, wiring and viewing angle.

treeman wrote:See the matchbox

Your tree distracted me from the match box... I will look harder next time.

The tree today...before removing the wire.
After removing the wire....so boring!!, and rough trimming. As feared, the apex died without a bud forming at it's base.
So waddaugonna do?.....put one back! (hopefully this pic won't make you too sea sick
Till next year.........................................