Ramification is getting there!!

[Ray M]

Hi folks,
My Corky Bark Chinese Elm has fully defoliated the last couple of years. It's very helpful when this happens as it makes it easy to see what the ramification is doing. If I'm more diligent over the next couple of seasons hopefully I'll be able to double the ramification. This is what it looks like at present.

Chinese Elm Ramification-3.jpg

Regards Ray

[shibui]

Plenty of fine twigs there Ray. It also sits well on the rock but overall quite tall?

I'm used to seeing cork bark Chinese elm with lots of very deeply fissured black bark. Just wondering if this is a different variety from the one we are growing down south?

[Ray M]

Plenty of fine twigs there Ray. It also sits well on the rock but overall quite tall?

I'm used to seeing cork bark Chinese elm with lots of very deeply fissured black bark. Just wondering if this is a different variety from the one we are growing down south?

Hi Shibui,
If you see the tree in the flesh, it has quite a lot of deep fissures in the bark. As far as I'm aware it is a normal Corky Bark. I would have purchased this off Ray Nesci maybe 20-25 years ago. This tree had quite a large air layer taken off it when I wrote my first book on Air Layering. I'll keep an eye on the height and reduce it if it doesn't look right after next growing season.

Regards Ray

[Max]

i just held my hand over the screen exposing only the first two right branches...looked interesting

[robb63]

That's a fine looking elm Ray. Looks like there may be another airlayer to come of this one in
the future. I sure wouldn't rush if it were my choice
From your pic IMHO two of the branches in the apex are a little thick which makes it a touch
top heavy but I'm sure your aware of that. I do love that lower trunk and rock position

[bodhidharma]

I enjoyed looking at the photo in the way you set it up Ray. Very pleasing to the eye Some selective pruning and another few years and it will reward you. I agree with it being a little tall and maybe another mini in the top section somewhere?

[Ray M]

Hi folks,
I have had another suggestion from a friend who I consider to be a good bonsai artist. He has suggested filling in the trunk from just above the two bottom branches. What do you think? Do you think it is still too tall?

ChineseElmRamification-3.jpg

Regards Ray

[kcpoole]

Nope not to tall at all,
a lovely tall elegant tree.

Ken

[Jow]

A shallower pot would help, obviously this needs to be weighed against your ability to keep it watered in the heat of summer but it would look better proportionately.

[treeman]

Hi folks,
I have had another suggestion from a friend who I consider to be a good bonsai artist. He has suggested filling in the trunk from just above the two bottom branches. What do you think? Do you think it is still too tall?

ChineseElmRamification-3.jpg

Regards Ray

Good if you can. Yes I think it's a little too tall. (meaning the ramification you have at the crown now could/should (?) start further down the tree. It's only still young so reducing the height is no big problem considering that but is there a replacement leader in a good place?
Of course reducing the height will mean having to thin out the rest to balance a bit. I step back - two forward.
Something like this would not be that hard or take that long Ray...

te.JPG

[Ray M]

Hi folks,
I have had another suggestion from a friend who I consider to be a good bonsai artist. He has suggested filling in the trunk from just above the two bottom branches. What do you think? Do you think it is still too tall?

ChineseElmRamification-3.jpg

Regards Ray

Good if you can. Yes I think it's a little too tall. (meaning the ramification you have at the crown now could/should (?) start further down the tree. It's only still young so reducing the height is no big problem considering that but is there a replacement leader in a good place?
Of course reducing the height will mean having to thin out the rest to balance a bit. I step back - two forward.
Something like this would not be that hard or take that long Ray...

te.JPG

Hi Mike,
Thanks for the ideas. Certainly some more food for thought.

Thanks to all who have made comments. Much appreciated.

Regards Ray

[Ray M]

A shallower pot would help, obviously this needs to be weighed against your ability to keep it watered in the heat of summer but it would look better proportionately.

Hi Jow,
I have a shallower pot so I could try it. One thought is the rock. I can't remember if it is resting on the bottom of the pot. I'll certainly have a look at the next repot. Even if the rock is sitting on the bottom I might be able to reveal the roots and rock a little more to compensate.

Regards Ray

[PeterH]

Hi folks,
I have had another suggestion from a friend who I consider to be a good bonsai artist. He has suggested filling in the trunk from just above the two bottom branches. What do you think? Do you think it is still too tall?

ChineseElmRamification-3.jpg

Regards Ray

Looks a lot better

Kind Regards,

Peter