Cork Bark Elm...happy accident!

johng

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There is a lot of history with this tree and its progeny in my garden. This is a large and heavy composition...probably weighs 60-70 pounds and stands about 39" tall.
This tree grew from the roots of another cork bark elm that had died in the ground. It is about 12 years in development. At one time I thought of this tree as the one that breaks all the rules...maybe it still does but now it is one of the most popular among visitors to my garden.
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Bonsai Nut

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Bring the tree to Brad's, and I'll bring the beer. After a few, those cuts will be made and I'll have you convinced it was your idea!

Separately... the bark is really cool on this one. It doesn't look the same as my cork bark Chinese elms.
 
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Maiden69

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Separately... the bark is really cool on this one. It doesn't look the same as my cork bark Chinese elms.
Definitely don't look like any of the cork bark Chinese elm I seen, Seiju, Catlin, Hokkaido, or Corticosa. I think this could probably be a Fuiri. Description below from Brent Wantson.

Ulmus parvifolia 'Fuiri' 1 to 1 1/2 inch variegated leaves that are light green thinly edged with silver frosting. New leaves are very pale lime green and silvery and retain this look until late spring when they turn darker green retaining their thin silvery edge. Bark is smooth gray roughening slightly with great age. Slower than the cork types to trunk up due to the lack of the cork adding to the caliper but growing about as fast as the species. This plant can also make a very handsome landscape plant. Probable ultimate height is 30 feet. One of the very nicest elm bonsai in our nursery is Ulmus p. 'Fuiri'. The leaves reduce nicely and it gets very twiggy. The silver edging on the leaves is not very noticeable, but the lime green new growth is stunning. Bud break is prolific in spring, even on very old wood.

I am divided in the air-layer idea. Seeing what Sergio can accomplish with air layers my first response would be hell yeah... but the aspect of having something different that does look good is a plus as well.
 
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This should be a poll!

This is why I love bonsai, there is no right answer, make no mistake this is a great tree as it is but at the minute that top section could be considered heavy with unnatural looking straight bits, which would be considered 'flaws', but it's those flaws that give this tree such amazing character.

An airlayer would eventually make a proper compact awesome little tree, but with less character. I'd stick with the weirdo as is.
 

Tidal Bonsai

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I like this tree a lot, but I agree with @Bonsai Nut. You have a beautiful sinuous trunk under the air layer line he drew, and then a super straight trunk above. My eye is drawn immediately to the straight section with a lot of negative space. If I were you, I would layer the top off on an angle to give it a little movement and sell it to me : )
 

johng

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Bring the tree to Brad's, and I'll bring the beer. After a few, those cuts will be made and I'll have you convinced it was your idea!

Separately... the bark is really cool on this one. It doesn't look the same as my cork bark Chinese elms.
I bet you would!!
 

johng

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Definitely don't look like any of the cork bark Chinese elm I seen, Seiju, Catlin, Hokkaido, or Corticosa. I think this could probably be a Fuiri. Description below from Brent Wantson.

Ulmus parvifolia 'Fuiri' 1 to 1 1/2 inch variegated leaves that are light green thinly edged with silver frosting. New leaves are very pale lime green and silvery and retain this look until late spring when they turn darker green retaining their thin silvery edge. Bark is smooth gray roughening slightly with great age. Slower than the cork types to trunk up due to the lack of the cork adding to the caliper but growing about as fast as the species. This plant can also make a very handsome landscape plant. Probable ultimate height is 30 feet. One of the very nicest elm bonsai in our nursery is Ulmus p. 'Fuiri'. The leaves reduce nicely and it gets very twiggy. The silver edging on the leaves is not very noticeable, but the lime green new growth is stunning. Bud break is prolific in spring, even on very old wood.

I am divided in the air-layer idea. Seeing what Sergio can accomplish with air layers my first response would be hell yeah... but the aspect of having something different that does look good is a plus as well.
The original material came from the bonsai farm in Texas at some point during the late 70s or early 80s. It was sold as Ulmus parvafolia “cork bark”. It barks up at a very young age.
 

Bonsai Nut

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Definitely don't look like any of the cork bark Chinese elm I seen, Seiju, Catlin, Hokkaido, or Corticosa. I think this could probably be a Fuiri.

I have a Fuiri (from Brent) that I've had for 7 or 8 years. The bark doesn't look similar at all. I'd take a photo to share, but it's raining here atm. And I have all the cultivars you have listed and I agree it doesn't look similar to any of them. I don't have any Chinese elm that flakes like that.
 

bwaynef

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What's the accident being referred to? That it grew from the roots of a dead tree?
 
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