Almost 60 year old elm cutting

[bonsaibp]

This was a cutting of a contorted Catlin Elm taken from one of John Catlins trees in 1964.
I am it's caretaker for the forseeable future and plan on turning this into a world class bonsai. My pictures do not do the tree justice at all. Before and after it's first trimming.
Before

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After- nothing too drastic. A light pruning and a few strings to move a couple of branches around. These old branches break easily so no wiring on this one. This tree will be kept very natural looking just highlighting it's age and character.

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These are pretty rare trees to begin with and extremely rare this size.

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[Poink88]

That's awesome! Can't wait to see it properly potted and styled.

 

[JudyB]

Wow, that looks like quite a job in front of you. Keep posting it as you go.

 

[davetree]

You are a lucky dog ! That is an awesome tree. Are there any other differences other than growth habit from regular Catlin elm ? Mine seems to be indestructible.

 

[bonsaibp]

You are a lucky dog ! That is an awesome tree. Are there any other differences other than growth habit from regular Catlin elm ? Mine seems to be indestructible.

It's slower growing and has contorted branching. Other than that it's pretty much the same.

 

[davetree]

How far are you going to reduce the root ball this spring ?

 

[bonsaibp]

I'll actually do it sometime in the next month and I won't have to get too drastic with it. The pot I plan on using is pretty large and the roots are in really decent shape. Maybe I'll be taking 20% or so off.

 

[Smoke]

I'll actually do it sometime in the next month and I won't have to get too drastic with it. The pot I plan on using is pretty large and the roots are in really decent shape. Maybe I'll be taking 20% or so off.

Sure would like to get some root cuttings Bob. Maybe make me up half a dozen in liners and i'll make it worth your while. I will even come down and pick them up!

I have one that is pretty old too. Mine is not that big, maybe about 1 inch trunk. Got it from Joe James many years ago. I also will be doing work on mine this year.

 

[bonsaibp]

Sure would like to get some root cuttings Bob. Maybe make me up half a dozen in liners and i'll make it worth your while. I will even come down and pick them up!

I have one that is pretty old too. Mine is not that big, maybe about 1 inch trunk. Got it from Joe James many years ago. I also will be doing work on mine this year.

I'm sure we could work something out.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Nice tree...and nice provenance.

 

[Zach Smith]

This tree looks even better in person.

Keep us posted, Bob. And your cypress seeds are going out today.

Zach

 

[bonsaibp]

Best I can do for a virt-

 

[davetree]

I just think that this pot dominates the tree. A flatter pot would draw attention to the magnificent tree. Are the roots difficult to work at this point ?

 

[davetree]

It would look very " Chinese " in the pot you have chosen. Is that what you had in mind ?

 

[bonsaibp]

I just think that this pot dominates the tree. A flatter pot would draw attention to the magnificent tree. Are the roots difficult to work at this point ?

It's an old rare tree and it's been in a 5 gallon can (not the same one) for 50+ years so I don't want to take any chances and in this pot reminds me of old gnarly trees in large round pots for some of the really old Kofuku exhibitions. I think a flat pot would detract from the tree. Besides I like it.

 

[mike108]

I like the pot choice i think it flows with the tree. A flat tokonoma pot would subtract from the beauty and natural look of it.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

It should look great in that pot. Assuming the scale is better than it appears with the pot sitting out in front of the tree. Each alone is nice...together should be a knockout!

 

[bonsaibp]

It should look great in that pot. Assuming the scale is better than it appears with the pot sitting out in front of the tree. Each alone is nice...together should be a knockout!

Thanks That's what I was thinking as well.

 

[JudyB]

Hard to tell before it goes into the pot for sure, but I think it'll be killer.

 

[DaveV]

That is one great tree! I briefly brought this type of bonsai culture up in a previous thread and.... well.... " slapped up side the head" is what I remember. Anyway, I appreciate the history of this tree. I have several trees in my collection that were started from cuttings and have been growning in pots for nearly 60+ years. I love seeing trees like this one. I particularly like elms. I have several 60+ year old junipers growing in the ground all around me. I enjoy old junipers and pines in bonsai culture too. However, starting a tree from a cutting or seedling and developing into a bonsia, to me this is an art form that is something totally different. Thanks for sharing!

DaveV.