American Elm front options

Messages
244
Reaction score
384
Location
Abilene , Tx
USDA Zone
8a
This weekend I purchased a tree that I was told was an American elm or at least an elm. The trunk has nice movement and taper from all angles so I have many options for a front. In y’alls opinions which angle presents the most potential?
 

Attachments

  • 9C2F8BDE-769F-4DAF-8BF0-8D316D778D0F.jpeg
    9C2F8BDE-769F-4DAF-8BF0-8D316D778D0F.jpeg
    144.4 KB · Views: 103
  • 674B0234-FCB5-4A9A-A2F8-62F2D8D1CE20.jpeg
    674B0234-FCB5-4A9A-A2F8-62F2D8D1CE20.jpeg
    134.3 KB · Views: 108
  • B6438C8F-DE9D-4168-94C2-5B65CF96B37F.jpeg
    B6438C8F-DE9D-4168-94C2-5B65CF96B37F.jpeg
    151.9 KB · Views: 98
  • F419CFF6-1116-471F-8BCC-7A17F704F208.jpeg
    F419CFF6-1116-471F-8BCC-7A17F704F208.jpeg
    153.2 KB · Views: 95
  • DBEA8692-2E43-4DB4-8841-52D557D7DF0C.jpeg
    DBEA8692-2E43-4DB4-8841-52D557D7DF0C.jpeg
    149.8 KB · Views: 96
  • 915F0E9D-65CD-46EC-97D3-1770F346489E.jpeg
    915F0E9D-65CD-46EC-97D3-1770F346489E.jpeg
    153.4 KB · Views: 92
  • 6322FBFD-C670-4914-98B0-F7A165B3CFFB.jpeg
    6322FBFD-C670-4914-98B0-F7A165B3CFFB.jpeg
    137.5 KB · Views: 101

River's Edge

Masterpiece
Messages
4,708
Reaction score
12,608
Location
Vancouver Island, British Columbia
USDA Zone
8b
This weekend I purchased a tree that I was told was an American elm or at least an elm. The trunk has nice movement and taper from all angles so I have many options for a front. In y’alls opinions which angle presents the most potential?
I would begin with picture #1 the first one posted.
 

bonsaidave

Shohin
Messages
393
Reaction score
658
Location
DFW, Texas
USDA Zone
8a
I wouldn't be too worried about what is the best front just yet. What is your end goal for this tree?
 
Messages
244
Reaction score
384
Location
Abilene , Tx
USDA Zone
8a
I wouldn't be too worried about what is the best front just yet. What is your end goal for this tree?

I’m thinking a sort of twin apex informal upright at the moment but that’s the most obvious style that’s presenting itself right now. I’m new to bonsai so there may be other good options that I am unable to see.
 

coh

Imperial Masterpiece
Messages
5,781
Reaction score
6,822
Location
Rochester, NY
USDA Zone
6
Tough to say without seeing what is under the soil. Is there any kind of nebari, root spread/flare, etc?

Picture 6 has the nicest trunk movement. What does it look like from the other side of that position? Can you post a pic?
 

thumblessprimate1

Masterpiece
Messages
4,232
Reaction score
8,542
Location
DALLAS
I'd worry surface roots and that wound first. Skip the idea of two apex.

Clean up that wound and thread one of an easy branch mimicking my arrow. Eventually removing the current smaller branch at the wound.

Once I've done that, I'll think about other things.
20190218_102805.jpg
 

Bonsai Nut

Nuttier than your average Nut
Messages
12,414
Reaction score
27,825
Location
Charlotte area, North Carolina
USDA Zone
8a
You have a lot of fundamental work to do on this tree before you start thinking about a possible front.

First, what does the nebari look like? All I see is a stump going straight down into the soil. You may reach very different conclusions if the first surface root is 6" under the dirt and you have to pull the tree up that much in order to show roots.

Second, you have a raw unhealed chop scar at the top of the trunk. You have to decide what you are going to do with it - because it isn't going to go away and cannot be ignored. It doesn't matter what you do with the rest of the tree as long as that scar is there.

Third, the new growth was never wire or trained when it emerged - so it shot straight up like a sapling. I'm assuming whoever owned this stump was just trying to sprout sacrifice growth to close the trunk scar. Don't get confused and think that sacrifice growth plays any role in the future of the tree. At most you will chop the majority off and leave a 2" nub.

/EDIT @thumblessprimate1 beat me to it :)
 
Messages
244
Reaction score
384
Location
Abilene , Tx
USDA Zone
8a
I’ll post some pictures showing what the roots look like when I repot later this week. If the roots aren’t in the best shape are root grafts achievable on American elm? Again I’m new so open to any suggestions. @thumblessprimate1 were you suggesting a tread draft through the smaller branch at the wound? As far as dealing with the wound ... carve down to live wood or let the leader grow till it covers the chop?
 

Maloghurst

Chumono
Messages
750
Reaction score
1,096
Location
Seattle WA
USDA Zone
8b
Pic 6 definitely. But you need to let that leader grow for awhile.
 
Messages
244
Reaction score
384
Location
Abilene , Tx
USDA Zone
8a
As some of you said there is a lot of fundamental work that needs to be done with this tree. Root spread wasn’t the best so it’s gonna be a journey to get it where I want it to say the least.
 

Attachments

  • 594EA583-9800-4464-80E9-48C6FAF93726.jpeg
    594EA583-9800-4464-80E9-48C6FAF93726.jpeg
    242.9 KB · Views: 47
  • 66A75043-3B18-46CF-A6F9-DD536BFB27B9.jpeg
    66A75043-3B18-46CF-A6F9-DD536BFB27B9.jpeg
    223.8 KB · Views: 45
  • 440F117C-1D5D-4FEB-A53D-138C0C130B88.jpeg
    440F117C-1D5D-4FEB-A53D-138C0C130B88.jpeg
    206.9 KB · Views: 43

thumblessprimate1

Masterpiece
Messages
4,232
Reaction score
8,542
Location
DALLAS
That small branch 1 of the 2 is important to prevent dieback. Don't lose it yet. I was suggesting a thread graft a little below it somewhere to replace that one. Take it slow, no hurries. Read and study up before you make a decision. See @markyscott and @Smoke posts for tutorials. Many others too (forgive me I didnt mention you.) Look a good examples of bonsai from westerners, easterners including the Chinese, Taiwanese, and Japanese. My favorite deciduous Elm are from Taiwanese artists. Google Sidao bonsai. Get started on a journey to make a magnificent tree.
 
Top Bottom