namnhi
Masterpiece
Looks much better than the before chop - interesting. The before has too many low branches that are too far apart.... boring.
Cork elm stalled project.
- Thread starter Smoke
- Start date
JudyB
Queen of the Nuts
I keep coming back to look at this tree. It certainly has a pull. In my head I've started calling it "The Elder Statesman". It has a certain pride of stance, and is proud of its past, and age.
Smoke
Ignore-Amus
Last weekend I took it to the Fresno group meeting. I was pleasantly surprised at the reviews I got.
Trees brought for group critique
Trees brought for group critique
JudyB
Queen of the Nuts
Well what did they say? Enquiring minds want to know!
Smoke
Ignore-Amus
"Don't try to pigeon hole it. Just enjoy it for what it is....a very good bonsai".
0soyoung
Imperial Masterpiece
How long until it leafs out? I want to see it then, please.
Smoke
Ignore-Amus
Without a doubt.....I would guess about three to four weeks.
Unless the rain stops and the sun comes out....then two weeks max
leatherback
The Treedeemer
cmeg1
Imperial Masterpiece
Great thread,Smoke.As usual it is pleasant to learn something.How is it doing.picture?
music~maker
Shohin
I just came across this post for the first time, and starting at the beginning with the initial virts, I would have strongly argued to either develop it further as it was, or to air layer off the top. The literati approach would have frankly been my last choice.
But DAMN! You really pulled it off. In retrospect, this seems like the perfect path for this tree. Especially impressive considering what it looked like just three years ago.
Well done, sir. Very nice tree.
Smoke
Ignore-Amus
It is doing Ok right now. I cut some really large roots to get it into that pot. I have lost a few very small branches (twigs) near the top and some of the tips budded and pushed leaves and then died back. ( probably no feeder roots to keep it going) Since it leafed, the stupid weather turned cold again and then we had rain for a few solid weeks, record breaking. The hot will be here starting tomorrow and the tree will go out in full sun to rev up.
Dear Smoke, I'm going to put forward a different view to the others. I'm sure you can handle it..
For some reason there is a tendency for lots of bonsai people to miss what I think is a very important and fundamental aspect when it comes to designing bonsai. They either don't see it, don't think of it or don't care about it. Yet it remains important and indispensable. One of the main aims in bonsai is to convey the image of an old tree - the older the better. I'm sure we can all agree with that. In old trees, there should always be a well ramified and rounded crown. Unless it has been broken off in a storm or something. The main trunk reaches a certain point then begins to divide and divide and divide until we can no longer make out or trace the trunk anymore. This varies somewhat but it's the norm most of the time. Always the norm with deciduous trees.
Now looking at your elm, you have the trunk extending right to the very tip and side branches up there still horizontal or weeping. My question is...Where are you going to go from here? If you start ramification now, by the time you get to 3 or 4 the tree will be too tall because it already is as tall as it should be. And for a nice fine branch structure, you want 8 or 9 ramifications if not more.
Basically, it think this problem arises again and again because we view our trees as if they were paintings or sculptures. A static image, when instead, we should plan, plan always plan for the future because the tree wants to develop, and it will develop whether we like it or not. You may say you'll cross that bridge when you come to it but you're already at the bridge now.
I guess it's only fair that I put down your options as I see them.
1/ Disregard what you just read and continue as is and ''see what happens''.
2/ Cut the branches off and the tree down and start again. (this is not as big a job as you might think)
3/ Layer the tree off much shorter and make 2 new trees.
Many would go with option 1.
A trunk like this take about 8 to 10 years of ground growing to develop so it has an inherent value. The branches can be remade many times over quite easily.
For some reason there is a tendency for lots of bonsai people to miss what I think is a very important and fundamental aspect when it comes to designing bonsai. They either don't see it, don't think of it or don't care about it. Yet it remains important and indispensable. One of the main aims in bonsai is to convey the image of an old tree - the older the better. I'm sure we can all agree with that. In old trees, there should always be a well ramified and rounded crown. Unless it has been broken off in a storm or something. The main trunk reaches a certain point then begins to divide and divide and divide until we can no longer make out or trace the trunk anymore. This varies somewhat but it's the norm most of the time. Always the norm with deciduous trees.
Now looking at your elm, you have the trunk extending right to the very tip and side branches up there still horizontal or weeping. My question is...Where are you going to go from here? If you start ramification now, by the time you get to 3 or 4 the tree will be too tall because it already is as tall as it should be. And for a nice fine branch structure, you want 8 or 9 ramifications if not more.
Basically, it think this problem arises again and again because we view our trees as if they were paintings or sculptures. A static image, when instead, we should plan, plan always plan for the future because the tree wants to develop, and it will develop whether we like it or not. You may say you'll cross that bridge when you come to it but you're already at the bridge now.
I guess it's only fair that I put down your options as I see them.
1/ Disregard what you just read and continue as is and ''see what happens''.
2/ Cut the branches off and the tree down and start again. (this is not as big a job as you might think)
3/ Layer the tree off much shorter and make 2 new trees.
Many would go with option 1.
A trunk like this take about 8 to 10 years of ground growing to develop so it has an inherent value. The branches can be remade many times over quite easily.
lieuz
Chumono
I wasn't going to say anything; but, I'm glad you had those positive reviews especially when I agree with the critique you got and I found your tree just delightful the way it is. This is an amazing specimen and you did a great job!
Smoke
Ignore-Amus
Thanks for the reply. I consider all replies to my threads. What I have been able to decipher from your reply is that you have said nothing more than what anyone else in this thread has said. I am not starting over, and do not wish two trees. I fully understand about round canopies and do not wish to saddle that on this tree. It is a young tree and will continue along this path until it is an old tree.Dear Smoke, I'm going to put forward a different view to the others. I'm sure you can handle it..
For some reason there is a tendency for lots of bonsai people to miss what I think is a very important and fundamental aspect when it comes to designing bonsai. They either don't see it, don't think of it or don't care about it. Yet it remains important and indispensable. One of the main aims in bonsai is to convey the image of an old tree - the older the better. I'm sure we can all agree with that. In old trees, there should always be a well ramified and rounded crown. Unless it has been broken off in a storm or something. The main trunk reaches a certain point then begins to divide and divide and divide until we can no longer make out or trace the trunk anymore. This varies somewhat but it's the norm most of the time. Always the norm with deciduous trees.
Now looking at your elm, you have the trunk extending right to the very tip and side branches up there still horizontal or weeping. My question is...Where are you going to go from here? If you start ramification now, by the time you get to 3 or 4 the tree will be too tall because it already is as tall as it should be. And for a nice fine branch structure, you want 8 or 9 ramifications if not more.
Basically, it think this problem arises again and again because we view our trees as if they were paintings or sculptures. A static image, when instead, we should plan, plan always plan for the future because the tree wants to develop, and it will develop whether we like it or not. You may say you'll cross that bridge when you come to it but you're already at the bridge now.
I guess it's only fair that I put down your options as I see them.
1/ Disregard what you just read and continue as is and ''see what happens''.
2/ Cut the branches off and the tree down and start again. (this is not as big a job as you might think)
3/ Layer the tree off much shorter and make 2 new trees.
Many would go with option 1.
A trunk like this take about 8 to 10 years of ground growing to develop so it has an inherent value. The branches can be remade many times over quite easily.
I have no idea what 3 or 4 or 8 or 9 ramifications are, but this tree will probably not be allowed to ramify very much. It will be kept rather sparse and thin. That trunk was made in 4 years. At the time this tree was dug I tagged this tree. It was dug two years later. 6 years in the ground. It will be layered off at the line later this spring.
Smoke
Ignore-Amus
If there were anything I would do to this tree. It would be to remove the large branch on the left.
quietobserver
Omono
Big change I would have said 'not so much' to I would have thought, but I'm really diggin' it in your virt.
