Chinese Elm with exposed roots

[Miguelito's Blade]

I picked up this young Chinese Elm and wanted to talk to you guys about it. Design options will open up as I let it grow, but my main concern is the roots. Do I bury them by repotting the tree more deeply (the trunk is against the bottom of the pot), or do I let it grow the way it is?

 

[Zach Smith]

Pull it out and put it in the ground, let it grow wild two or three years, then see what you have to work with. You're putting way too much design thought into this tree given its size and current form.

 

[sorce]

I'd see what the the lower taper does and maybe remove those top roots.

Sorce

 

[Shibui]

Design options will open up as I let it grow, but my main concern is the roots. Do I bury them by repotting the tree more deeply (the trunk is against the bottom of the pot), or do I let it grow the way it is?

I would just cut off the skinny roots that are too high. The tree won't miss a few small roots and will just put more effort into the roots below soil level - assuming there are some good roots down there.
If the best roots are high you can wait until repotting time and cut off the lower part of the trunk that's causing problems.

 

[Miguelito's Blade]

Thank you everyone who responded. I think I'll cut off the high roots and wait until spring repotting to deal with what's below soil level.

 

[BobbyLane]

i second putting it in the ground.

 

[Miguelito's Blade]

Unfortunately I am disabled and live in an apartment (with a balcony for bonsai) and I simply have no means of putting it in the ground. I must make do with pots.

 

[Zach Smith]

Unfortunately I am disabled and live in an apartment (with a balcony for bonsai) and I simply have no means of putting it in the ground. I must make do with pots.

Go with the largest and deepest pot you can for strongest growth - if you can, of course. Good luck with it!