AusBonsai

Hi fellow members,

Just wondering if any one can help me with the styling of this Elm.

Trying to get a final idea before the Spring kicks in and start grow wild again....

Not sure about the Apex of this tree, im am willing to do some chops to any of the branches to make a more deffinate apex and better flow down the tree.

any ideas would be appreciated.

I might get shot for this, but what the hell:

I actually like the way the three main branches sit as they are, even though it's not "right" - they just balance well. There are some nice lines particularly in the upper right branch/trunk thing. I get a bit disturbed by the sudden decrease in thickness - maybe while you cut back hard/grow long to thicken the upper right branch/trunk, some interesting further shapes will emerge. Don't be in a hurry to do the "right" thing - get a trunk line that tapers more gradually, and then see what you have to work with. Take time.

My 2c worth only. There's a nice grace in it already.

Gavin

I also like the wild, random shape of the 2 upper branches. natural can be good when it works.
There are a couple of things that stand out though:
1. first branch - appears to be coming straight toward the front? and it must come a fair way forward because the camera can't focus on it? Having the rest of the tree upright and another branch horizontal jars the senses a bit I think. Consider getting rid of it altogether. Elms natural growth is ascending branching so removing that branch will make the canopy look far more natural
2. Upper right branch has a relatively long, straight, thick section which appears to be at odds with the rest of the branching up there. I'd consider cutting to just leave about 1/3 of it. Cutting will make it shoot out from near the cut and you will be able to make better branching from the new shoots.

I think all the upper branches have been allowed to get too long. Shorten everything by about 1/2?

Nice trunk in there. Some pics from different angles would be nice.

- Yes those upper branches seem to be oddly shape, and if it was a apex then it does seem long and without taper...

- The first branch does come out towards the front....


I was leaning towards doing a chop aswell to start fresh on some better branches that re shoot out.

i did a quick redesign, and thinking that i should cut the whole upper left branching and have the right one be the new leader, i then will try to bend the first branch back and upwards...or maybe just straight out abit....
i think after these changes are done then ill have a better foundation to work on the branches....
what do you think??


The tree has already started to shoot out new buds... should this be a good time to make a chop at the upper branches?
give it some time to heal while its growing at the moment...


thanks for your comments ......

Would be good to see a pic from the other side/ back and right side

yamadorikid wrote:-
i did a quick redesign, and thinking that i should cut the whole upper left branching and have the right one be the new leader, i then will try to bend the first branch back and upwards...or maybe just straight out abit....

A bit hard to see but I was thinking remove the one you left and leave the other one
Need a pic from theother side tho.

Chop and hack now is the go.

Ken

Can we get a pic from the right hand side with that side propped up on something about 5cm high?

Any time is a good time to prune Chinese elm so if you are happy with your new design go to it.