Need some help on Elm

j evans

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Well six months later and here is what it looks like. Needs to be trimmed back but I was kind of wondering about the proportions. If this is the final size for the top of the tree do you feel that it is about the right size for the trunk? Any other comments or suggestions? Thanks.
20161023_124644.jpg
 

aml1014

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Well six months later and here is what it looks like. Needs to be trimmed back but I was kind of wondering about the proportions. If this is the final size for the top of the tree do you feel that it is about the right size for the trunk? Any other comments or suggestions? Thanks.
View attachment 121216
IMO the current canopy size is exactly where I would want it to be for refinement if it where mine. You'll need to build some taper in the branching before you need to worry about that though.
Looking very good so far!

Aaron
 

Grant Hamby

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I just learned so much from this thread. Amazing progression, amazing advice. I love where this tree is headed!
 

j evans

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Basically left as the last photo shows and stuck into the ground behind the garage. Currently under about 6 - 8" of snow with current temperature of 11 degrees. Most likely will not see again until the middle of February. Looking forward to checking the pot situation, trimming back a bit and letting grow for the year to thicken things up. Thanks for asking.

Jamie
 

j evans

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I got some ambition the other day and pulled this tree out of its winter bed.

Here it is straight out of bed with no primping:
DSCF7453.jpg

I was disappointed with the root growth. I thought there would be more but this could have been due to the dense soil that I failed to replace last time I repotted.

DSCF7463.jpg

After root trimming, repotting and some trimming. This is one of my favorite views of the tree.

DSCF7471.jpg

Here is another

DSCF7475.jpg

In you opinion should I remove the "L" root on the right side. It kind of bugs me.

DSCF7476.jpg

Another view that I think is good

DSCF7477.jpg

Any suggestions other than grow, cut, grow, cut, grow, cut and on and on? Thanks
 

j evans

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This tree has been at this depth ever since I have owned it. Never moved it up or down.

I thought that this pretty much followed the plan laid out earlier in the thread but guess I missed the mark.

Cut it back and start over?
 

Smoke

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Bonsai is about improving as we move along. Nothing is carved in stone. Don't cut back anything. The top is great. Just lacks some artistic touches.
Well, I really screwed the pooch with this one then.

View attachment 136440
If you like it, thats all that matters. Everything here is a matter of differing opinions. Whether you or Evans lowers the tree has to be your moves....not mine.
 
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Smoke

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This tree has been at this depth ever since I have owned it. Never moved it up or down.

I thought that this pretty much followed the plan laid out earlier in the thread but guess I missed the mark.

Cut it back and start over?
Here is your very first concept drawing. It looks to me that the soil line should have been just about where I cut it off based on where you stopped your red lines on the base of the trunk.

elm-jpg.71766
 
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j evans

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Then, how can I make the corrections to include some artistic touches? I agree some branches are too straight.
 
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Smoke

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OK, Pop Quiz

What is it you did in the drawing and did not execute into the actual tree?

elm-jpg.71766
DSCF74772.JPG
 

j evans

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I guess that is why you guys are experts and I am still trying to learn. I'd say that the lack of wiring has resulted in the tree not having enough movement in the newly formed branches. I had thought about that but was trying to use more the grow and clip method as I thought that I was going to have to build up branch thickness anyway. Other than that I am at a lack of seeing it.
 

j evans

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Guess it is a good thing that its not a snake or I'd be toast.
 

j evans

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Vin - should I try to pull that down or should I just cut it back to about I'd guess 3/8" where it starts to curl upward? What do I do about the straightness in all of the other branches, trim them back harder also? Any concern about the lack of root growth? Thanks for the help.
 

Smoke

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Guess it is a good thing that its not a snake or I'd be toast.
Remember the stick drawings I instructed a nit wit to do? Do that to the two pictures I posted and get back to me. The difference will be startling.
 
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