I Have This Elm...

JoeR · Nov 23, 2014

What I think bothers me with this tree is that both the branches after the Y are equally 'strong' with no specific apex, rather they are both competing for the attention.. I think it would help if one side was reduced, but not completely removed. From the pictures, it seems the left is thicker thus should be the dominant one. Another thing that grabs my attention is the first branch on the left after the split. Its very straight and even with the pot with no foliage near the base, which could be fixed if it was bent up almost parrarel to the trunk or if the foliage was brought closer to the trunk.

I really like the tree however and definitely would not chop either side completely. Just constructive criticism from a newbie.

Joe

lordy · Nov 23, 2014

I think it does need to lose one of the trunks. Not sure which due to inability to see thru the foliage. I think the slingshot is a major distraction. If you wanted to, you could layer one trunk and start a second tree, while adjusting the planting angle of the main tree after the removal of the layer.
Since when does the final appearance have to look like a tree in nature? Most of the serious bending and pad construction is not reflected in nature either. Or growing under a screen to create movement. Trees are designed to depict a pleasing form. If it also appears a natural form, so much the better, but not at the cost of good design.

Mellow Mullet · Nov 23, 2014

I Took Some More Pictures Today...

I took a few more pictures today to better show the tree.

Mellow Mullet · Nov 23, 2014

One more, of the whole tree.

bumblebee · Nov 23, 2014

I like the 2 trunks. Looking forward to seeing how this turns out...

Libby

Poink88 · Nov 24, 2014

I like it as it is with minor edits. I'd wire both the 2 lowest outer branches (left most and right most) and give them both 3D and more UPWARD movement. They are pretty straight and horizontal right now and that is causing an undesirable visual effect.

It can use some selective branch removal as well. It is a very nice tree.

Mellow Mullet · Nov 24, 2014

I had actually tried to wire both branches this spring, and managed to break both of them. That is the white substance on the left branch. For branches that don't break completel off, I put cut paste on the wound, wrap it in teflon tape (plumber's tape) and then wrap the whole thing in electrical tape. They have both healed, but I am scared to bend them again. I might give it a whirl later .

John

Poink88 · Nov 24, 2014

Mellow Mullet said:
I had actually tried to wire both branches this spring, and managed to break both of them. That is the white substance on the left branch. For branches that don't break completel off, I put cut paste on the wound, wrap it in teflon tape (plumber's tape) and then wrap the whole thing in electrical tape. They have both healed, but I am scared to bend them again. I might give it a whirl later .

John

Wrap with raffia (or similar) very tightly before bending. I'd reinforce that break area with wires running parallel the branch also.

Mellow Mullet · Apr 26, 2016

Update:

This guy got a hair cut today, nothing fancy, just basically a hedge type trim. As you can see, I did eventually shorten one of the trunks and after it fills in, I think it will look pretty good. How about you?

Before trim:

Mellow Mullet · Apr 26, 2016

After:

petegreg · Apr 27, 2016

I like the last picture. I think it's with the 2nd trunk in the rear? You did it your way and I like the change. And it is very similar to my Zelkova nire I play with...

Adair M · Apr 27, 2016

Well...

My vote is for a "do over".

I'd chop the trunk straight across just below the two main branches, and let it pop new branches. Start a new broom style from there.

I'd also screw it to a board and plant it in a larger wider box to develop.

But that's just me.

sorce · Apr 27, 2016

That might not be a terrible idea.

I'd like to look at it stubbed back first.
Might not be such a drastic fix needed.

Then again.....it's an elm...in the dirty.....
5 minutes or so ... .whole new tree!

Sorce

Mellow Mullet · Apr 27, 2016

Adair M said:
Well...

My vote is for a "do over".

I'd chop the trunk straight across just below the two main branches, and let it pop new branches. Start a new broom style from there.

I'd also screw it to a board and plant it in a larger wider box to develop.

But that's just me.

I have actually considered this many times, but I have so many trees I am trying to keep up, I decided t let it go another year before I go postal on it.

It actually has spent time screwed to a board and is radial around the base, hard to tell from the photos.

John

Mellow Mullet · Feb 18, 2017

This guy got a new pot this week, maybe a little too big, but it was what I had to work with. I somehow forgot to take a before picture, but it looked like the last picture in this thread, except I reduced one side of the Y to make it shorter. I actually rooted the cut part, and I think it might make a decent Mame.

Look at the circling roots, I wish it grew that well on top.

Topside

A little trim

In the new pot. Probably the easiest repot that I have done.

Mellow Mullet · Jul 20, 2017

Update:

Haircut time. I think this is the second or third time this year. I is kinda two dimensional no, but I am working to resolve it.

Before:

After

GrimLore · Jul 23, 2017

Mellow Mullet said:
Haircut time. I think this is the second or third time this year.

I think taking the time you have is paying off with this one. That first after shot shows it

Grimmy

drew33998 · Jul 29, 2017

I feel like the right side should have carry the apex since it is thicker than the left. The left should be reduced back to finer shoots to one third of its hight in the leafless photo. But that is what my eye tells me.

just.wing.it · Jul 30, 2017

Nice progression thread on this one.
The tree looks very nice!
I like that you kept both trunks.
It's hard to tell in the pic, but I think I might agree that the left trunk could be reduced in height a bit.
The right trunk is already the highest part of the apex, if the left was reduced it may make a more dynamic looking canopy in the future.
Just my ¢0.01.

Mellow Mullet · Jul 30, 2017

I kinda thought I may have to make it shorter, just waiting for the winter and will take a look at it with no leaves.

Thanks, guys.

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