AusBonsai

Hello, this is my first ever post of ausbonsai. Long time lurker though.

I need some advice. This tree was collected today with little to no roots. I believe it is an english elm. Attached are 3 photos of this girthy boy. It was a pain to remove - I had been wanting to dig this for some time and I had time today on my lunch break. It is currently potted up in the grow box (i built) this afternoon after digging. It is planted "as is" and i'm now second guessing myself whether I should have planted it at a different angle - potentially as a cascade (blue line) or cut along the base (yellow, red, purple lines) to encourage rooting and nebari. Am I correct in thinking that english elm's will root from cut-sites? So if I was to cut the trunk (where the few roots are) flat then I would get root growth at or around the cut site? I have also sealed the top trunk chop with cut putty.

Any opinions or advice would be greatly appreciated as this is my first english elm.

In my opinion it is best to leave it as it is now that it is potted for at least 12 months (probably a bit longer) to enable it to establish it in its new environment. At the next repotting it will be time for the decisions.
English elms make great bonsai and I wish you every success.

I agree with Watto. You won’t know where new buds will shoot from, so now is not the time for design decisions. Good luck!

Agree with the above and remember that you won't get strong roots without strong branches. In other words don't cut what grows.

One good thing about EE is the ability to survive and root even with very few existing roots.
My experience is they will root from the cut ends as well as from around the collar where the trunk meets the old root. You already have a few roots starting from the right area and more should follow. Make sure that area is well buried to ensure any developing roots don't dry out.

Agree with the advice to let it be for a year or 2. Allow plenty of top growth to feed new roots.
If you don't get good radial roots after a couple of years that will be the time to ground layer just above the old root and establish a new nebari.