Elm multiple brqnches from signle location on trunk

[maroun.c]

Been working on this elm where all the tree branches emerge from.one point on the main trunk. Initially I left them all be to help heal the scar from the chop that came with the tree. And the top of the tree was styled by clip and grow abd little wiring to an already acceptable shape using the 5 branches...
As the trunk wound is nearly sealed and as I see swelling starting to happen do u propose reducing all branches dielrectly to 1 or 2 branches only abd then regrouping the top or do u do it gradually taking out 1 branch every season ? Best to remove branches in early spring or fall ?

Thanks

 

[yashu]

Do you have photos of the whole tree?

 

[leatherback]

Typically it is best to no let a whorl of branches stand, as it causes swelling. Now that you do have them there, I would reduce them all to stumps, and one by one remove them. The risk of cutting all of them flush how is that the whoel ring dies back.

Do check whether you could make a broom style bonsai instead

 

[BobbyLane]

Depends what you want to achieve, but it looks suited to broom. If the inverse was bad it would be wider than the basal flair, but at this point the basal flare is still wider and could get better if you plant in a shallower container and work the roots properly. Marky has a thread on this type tree, as do a few others, maybe you need to do some research...
I also have a thread on this C Elm somewhere

 

[Cadillactaste]

Depends what you want to achieve, but it looks suited to broom. If the inverse was bad it would be wider than the basal flair, but at this point the basal flare is still wider and could get better if you plant in a shallower container and work the roots properly. Marky has a thread on this type tree, as do a few others, maybe you need to do some research...
I also have a thread on this C Elm somewhere

I was thinking broom as well. @Adair M has a nice show specimen too. I'm not familiar with the style itself other than visual. It's to formal for my bench. But I do appreciate the talent to create them.

 

[BobbyLane]

If you google Zelkova broom youll see literally tons of trees with multiples at the same height.
Its clear you havnt really researched this.

 

[maroun.c]

Do you have photos of the whole tree?

Here goes

 

[BobbyLane]

Again depends on your tastes, I would chop it back hard like the one above. but it also looks like there could be a nice trunk line in there. Theres two trees in there currently.

 

[maroun.c]

Typically it is best to no let a whorl of branches stand, as it causes swelling. Now that you do have them there, I would reduce them all to stumps, and one by one remove them. The risk of cutting all of them flush how is that the whoel ring dies back.

Do check whether you could make a broom style bonsai instead

That was rhe plan to gradually remove but I somehow built a tree while trying to heal the trunk scar. Agreed on broom.style which isn't to far from.what I have regardless if I build it from a single branch or from.all the branches if that doesn't cause nasty swelling

 

[maroun.c]

Depends what you want to achieve, but it looks suited to broom. If the inverse was bad it would be wider than the basal flair, but at this point the basal flare is still wider and could get better if you plant in a shallower container and work the roots properly. Marky has a thread on this type tree, as do a few others, maybe you need to do some research...
I also have a thread on this C Elm somewhere

Thanks will look for those threads direction was towards a broom from a single.or two of the branches but if I can pull it with multiple branches then why not. Base has a nice flair that would look indeed nice if improved. Its already in a not so deep pot but can move it to a shallower one even.

 

[maroun.c]

If you google Zelkova broom youll see literally tons of trees with multiples at the same height.
Its clear you havnt really researched this.
View attachment 480838

That's an amazing tree love the definition of the branches. Mine would take work to get there but that would be a nice project for a small tree even if I endup woth a bit of swelling at the branches origin guess that's the best dorection this tree can go.

 

[maroun.c]

Again depends on your tastes, I would chop it back hard like the one above. but it also looks like there could be a nice trunk line in there. Theres two trees in there currently.

Do you mean chop as hard as this one and regrow ? Indeed there's 2 main branches which are somehow competing to form the tree. If I chop as hard I can either take one of them off and grow the tree with all remaining ones, or else I don't mind chopping back as hard and growing the branches maybe with more wiring to get to a better broom style. Tree is growing very fast even in the small pit it's in so don't think I'll need more than 2-3 seasons to get to a nicer tree form than what I have now.

Comparing my tree to those brrom zelkovas mine looks way too high for the short trunk so compressing it heavily I believe is indeed needed.

 

[JudyB]

Theres two trees in there currently.

I agree with this comment, I believe if it were my tree, I would get rid of the large left branch in the front, the one with the wire scars. I'd work with the remaining branches as a broom. Maybe you could keep a stub of that big branch, and start it over...but if your tree is vigorous it'll probably pop a new bud there at the chop site that would be better placed and you can choose a better broom like angle. You'd have to look at the tree again from all sides to determine which the front would be.

 

[BobbyLane]

Do you mean chop as hard as this one and regrow ? Indeed there's 2 main branches which are somehow competing to form the tree. If I chop as hard I can either take one of them off and grow the tree with all remaining ones, or else I don't mind chopping back as hard and growing the branches maybe with more wiring to get to a better broom style. Tree is growing very fast even in the small pit it's in so don't think I'll need more than 2-3 seasons to get to a nicer tree form than what I have now.
View attachment 480845
Comparing my tree to those brrom zelkovas mine looks way too high for the short trunk so compressing it heavily I believe is indeed needed.

First, I think you should cut back in these places and show us again, with a plain background, maybe something can be done with the trunk line. Not bothered by the wire scar much, Chinese elms tend to keep their leaves and with these chops, youll back back budding up n down the leader. The scar would soon be covered


The branch in Yellow possibly comes off too, but it could be needed if you decide to go with the lower canopy broom.
When you remove the reds and take a photo with plain background, cover the yellow branch with tissue so its out of view.

 

[maroun.c]

Made the chops as @BobbyLane indicated. Believe the front of the tree is now more proportionate to trunk diameter and length and that back side (branch marked in yellow in bobbylane pic is still kind off too tall for the tree. Using it to be the top.of the broom.migjt be a bitntricky as it's going to the back. Remove as well ???

 

[BobbyLane]

Looks good, Id now bring branch in yellow down with guy wire or wire so it doesnt block one of the main leaders behind it, have it go more horizontal and bring the leader behind it up a little, reduce it to a little below the left main leader. yes back branch can go, take as a cutting. Removing that branch will stop the swelling getting worse. you can try a V cut between remaining leaders and use knob cutters to tidy up the ring where all the branches were causing a swelling.

 

[BobbyLane]

Going for a natural look with the two leaders prominent like these, secondary branches that come off the leaders, go away to the left or right, up n out or horizontal.
would also put your tree in a bigger training pot for development.