Chinese Elm Direction

Jeremy · May 24, 2017

This is a sort of progression and future styling question. I've had this Elm for 5 years, spent its first year in the ground then got attacked by my (still?) novice hands. The first photo is December 2012 - a clear contender for the ugly tree thread. There was a wound on the trunk that I decided to try out my carving practice on. Fast forward 8 months into the spring I chopped it back, and later in the season chopped even lower.
Now 3 years later, picture #4 is what I have been developing as the front. I have spent the entire time using clip and grow and the wires in the pictures are the only wires to have finally touched the tree. I'm bored of this front and you can see a branch I intended to graft which wouldn't really improve the image. Picture #5 is where I'm thinking holds more interest. The carving, as amateur as it was, has really aged quite well and I can possibly utilise the low branch as a second trunk. So, my question. What direction would you take this material? Pic 4, 5, or otherwise?

Redwood Ryan · May 24, 2017

I like the last picture out of them all. The deadwood is clearly visible.

Oliver Muscio · May 24, 2017

Redwood Ryan said:
I like the last picture out of them all. The deadwood is clearly visible.

Yes, definitely the last picture

petegreg · May 25, 2017

As they said.

sorce · May 25, 2017

I would cut the penis out...

Not the balls, use that for the base of that lil mame, for the contest!

Not the head, use that for the base of that cascade.

Just....cut the straight part out!

2 trees.

Sorce

M. Frary · May 25, 2017

sorce said:
I would cut the penis out...

Not the balls, use that for the base of that lil mame, for the contest!

Not the head, use that for the base of that cascade.

Just....cut the straight part out!

2 trees.

Sorce

That's exactly my thoughts.
Layer the head,shorten the shaft and grow the balls.

Jeremy · May 25, 2017

sorce said:
I would cut the penis out...

Not the balls, use that for the base of that lil mame, for the contest!

Not the head, use that for the base of that cascade.

Just....cut the straight part out!

2 trees.

Sorce

I think I'm going to require one of your diagrams. The mid section really bothers you that much? Maybe it's just the photos but my eye tends to follow the carving line up the trunk, overlooking any uninteresting parts. It even overlooks the reverse taper up around where the branching starts. Maybe I need new eyes

sorce · May 25, 2017

Jeremy said:
I think I'm going to require one of your diagrams. The mid section really bothers you that much? Maybe it's just the photos but my eye tends to follow the carving line up the trunk, overlooking any uninteresting parts. It even overlooks the reverse taper up around where the branching starts. Maybe I need new eyes

From pic 145..

157 is nice...I see what you mean.

Sorce

Jeremy · May 25, 2017

sorce said:
From pic 145..

157 is nice...I see what you mean.

Sorce

That makes sense. Yeah, the way I was developing it in 145 was boring. None of the character of the trunk was in view. I'm really leading towards 157, repotting season is just around the corner. The nebari was quite nice and radial so the new angle would compromise that a bit, still worth it.

miker · May 25, 2017

Yes, what they said^^^^

Nice tree.

Jeremy · Aug 10, 2018

Winter shot after a bit of cleanup. I've been letting a sacrifice branch grow with the intention of possibly growing it into another trunk, thoughts or suggestions?

Jeremy · Jul 29, 2019

Another 12 months has passed, I'm happy with how the ramification has been developing. The apex has become a bit tall and uninteresting and will require more attention during the next growing season, this year I will attempt to develop some branching on the low branch/trunk. I have an image in my head but I'm undecided if it will make a more dynamic tree or if its best to stick with the rather simple design I have currently.

Jeremy · Jul 22, 2020

Another year, canopy has become a bit more dense. Secondary trunk grew some branches but not really ideal to style. Cut back, maybe this year it will develop more. Not a great photo, its raining, but the bark is starting to really exfoliate and bring out some nice contrasting orange colouration.

leatherback · Jul 22, 2020

love how thisis aging!

Benauber · Jul 23, 2020

I like your tree a lot. What soil do you use?

Jeremy · Jul 24, 2020

Benauber said:
I like your tree a lot. What soil do you use?

I had used Diatomite and pine bark for a long time but the last batch I got was quite soft so decided to change it up. Majority of my trees have been in a mix of pumice, zeolite and radiata pine bark for just over a year now and seem to be liking it. In the end, what you use all comes down to your micro climate and watering habits.

Benauber · Jul 24, 2020

For sure, I don’t believe I have access to what you are using here in the US
Anyways, good looking tree, keep us updated

Jeremy · Jul 24, 2020

You should be able find pumice. I use zeolite because its easy to source and cheap but I would happily swap it for lava/akadama. As far as bark or any organic substrate, i like the radiata pine bark as it doesnt break down quick. Its sold as an orchid bark out of New Zealand, really nice and uniform size i dont even sift.

ConorDash · Jul 30, 2020

Jeremy said:
Another year, canopy has become a bit more dense. Secondary trunk grew some branches but not really ideal to style. Cut back, maybe this year it will develop more. Not a great photo, its raining, but the bark is starting to really exfoliate and bring out some nice contrasting orange colouration.
View attachment 317826

Nice one. I like it. This angle makes that bottom branch look quite... uninteresting and mostly straight, which is a shame.
Any thoughts on that?

Jeremy · Aug 6, 2020

ConorDash said:
Nice one. I like it. This angle makes that bottom branch look quite... uninteresting and mostly straight, which is a shame.
Any thoughts on that?

For me I think it may just be the 2D image. Ive attached some more photos to show there is movement, mostly subtle but its not completely straight. Photography is not my strong point and i generally find myself feeling content with a tree, then after photographing it i pick it to pieces and notice multiple flaws. Perhaps I spend too much time online as opposed to looking at Bonsai with my own eyes. If i trust my own eyes over a 2D image then i believe there is enough movement and interest in that branch to carry it through. But hey, its an Elm, i can cut it right back and start again with more exaggerated movement if i need to

Chinese Elm Direction

Shohin

Attachments

Masterpiece

Mame

Masterpiece

Nonsense Rascal

Bonsai Godzilla

Shohin

Nonsense Rascal

Shohin

Chumono

Shohin

Attachments

Shohin

Shohin

The Treedeemer

Sapling

Shohin

Sapling

Shohin

Masterpiece

Shohin

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