Branch Structure, Chinese Elm

[Escobar090]

Hello everyone, im looking for your help on this little tree, you see, Im new to bonsai and branch development is something i really do not know about.

Here are some pictures of my Chinese elm, here in Chile spring just begun, so the tree its growing like it should be, but i'm worried about the crossing branches, upward and backwards direction branches, it seems kind of messy, should i let it grow this season and afterwards cut everything that's not "in place", or should i be cutting constantly little branches and so?.







Thank you!

 

[JudyB]

Hi Escobar,
Part of the answer depends on your goals for this tree. If you are happy with the size of the plant as a whole, then go ahead and begin to shape it. If you want a larger bonsai, then you should let it grow that will give the most growth in a season.

If you are happy with size, then you need to determine what style you'd like to do with it. If you like the current direction, then my advice would be to cut off anything that looks too straight, or too heavy or just wrong. These are strong growers, so you won't loose much time by cutting off stuff. You don't want branches that cross, or grow toward the trunk, and as you go up the trunk the branches should be thinner, and thicker on the lower trunk. With elm, you can cut several times in one season if the tree is healthy. I let my branches grow out to 6-8 leaves, then cut back to the first pair. If I want the branch to get thicker, I do not cut it back at all. Then cut it the following season.
Hope this helps.