Cork Bark Branch Selection

[CK4]

I recently purchased this cork bark elm pre-bonsai in a one gallon container. I plan on making it a shohin, but would like some input on branch selection, timing of those cuts etc. the triple branch on the one side seems like one of them needs to go. I have dozens of trees but this is my first elm. I am in zone 8B.

 

[CK4]

Here is a second photo.

I recently purchased this cork bark elm pre-bonsai in a one gallon container. I plan on making it a shohin, but would like some input on branch selection, timing of those cuts etc. the triple branch on the one side seems like one of them needs to go. I have dozens of trees but this is my first elm. I am in zone 8B. View attachment 605307

Here is a second photo.

 

[BrightsideB]

Have to identify the material first. It’s a starter seiju. What style are you interested in creating with it?

You have a junction of the three major branches. That isn’t ideal for starting a tree out. And seiju along with most dwarf species develop bulges and reverse taper easily. So already one branch should go. Unless you want a broom style.

Most young trees grown upright lack unique character to work with, so there isn’t much to work with in that regards. Ideally if you wanted a shohin upright style. You’d want taper and branches starting lower than what you have.

Consider starting from scratch and developing lower branching and more taper, air layering closer to the branches , or doing your best to expedite a tree to grow and start developing what you already have growing. All steps are viable and make sense to consider at this stage. The choices you take early on will dictate where to start and what to expect.

It is possible to make a nice slender tree. A lot of shohin are compact and have at least an inch trunk near the base.

 

[CK4]

Have to identify the material first. It’s a starter seiju. What style are you interested in creating with it?

You have a junction of the three major branches. That isn’t ideal for starting a tree out. And seiju along with most dwarf species develop bulges and reverse taper easily. So already one branch should go. Unless you want a broom style.

Most young trees grown upright lack unique character to work with, so there isn’t much to work with in that regards. Ideally if you wanted a shohin upright style. You’d want taper and branches starting lower than what you have.

Consider starting from scratch and developing lower branching and more taper, air layering closer to the branches , or doing your best to expedite a tree to grow and start developing what you already have growing. All steps are viable and make sense to consider at this stage. The choices you take early on will dictate where to start and what to expect.

It is possible to make a nice slender tree. A lot of shohin are compact and have at least an inch trunk near the base.

Thanks for the feedback. I have one of your pots and ordered another one for my cryptomeria on Instagram from you. Great stuff! I should have added a few more details. I am planning on air layering it next year to shorten the trunk and eventually go with a formal upright style. I have attached a photo of the branch I am planning to cut to try and clean up that triple junction this year. I wanted additional opinions before I made the chop.

 

[BrightsideB]

Thanks for the feedback. I have one of your pots and ordered another one for my cryptomeria on Instagram from you. Great stuff! I should have added a few more details. I am planning on air layering it next year to shorten the trunk and eventually go with a formal upright style. I have attached a photo of the branch I am planning to cut to try and clean up that triple junction this year. I wanted additional opinions before I made the chop.

That makes sense! I think the plan is solid. Maybe others will chime in? There seems to always be another way to take a tree.

That’s awesome! And thank you! Right now it’s slim pickens because I am in the middle of moving to a new location. Also haven’t been posting.