Monster elm project

Fishtank307

Shohin
Messages
445
Reaction score
970
Location
Belgium
Repotted this tree last week. It was incredibly pot bound! I had to saw the rootball in half.
20210313_140527.jpg
After taking these pictures, I watered the rootball. The whole repotting took me a lot longer than expected!
20210313_140531.jpg

Three very thick roots. I'm planning on taking cuttings early summer, so I can graft some roots next year.
20210313_140550.jpg20210313_140557.jpg

One root in back sticking out of the soil. Today I noticed the roots were bleeding. I hope it regains its vigour!
20210317_154250.jpg

20210317_154725.jpg

20210317_154746.jpg

Happy with the movement I put in the primary branches last growing season.
20210317_154807.jpg
 

Leo in N E Illinois

The Professor
Messages
11,337
Reaction score
23,254
Location
on the IL-WI border, a mile from ''da Lake''
USDA Zone
5b
I think the previous suggestion to change the angle the trunk leaves the soil was spot on. Maybe next time you repot? In this image I would lean the trunk maybe 15 to 30 degrees to the left. This would make the upper segment near to vertical. You don't want it to be fully vertical, but near to vertical would be visually more pleasing.

20210317_154725-jpg.361584
 

Fishtank307

Shohin
Messages
445
Reaction score
970
Location
Belgium
I think the previous suggestion to change the angle the trunk leaves the soil was spot on. Maybe next time you repot? In this image I would lean the trunk maybe 15 to 30 degrees to the left. This would make the upper segment near to vertical. You don't want it to be fully vertical, but near to vertical would be visually more pleasing.

20210317_154725-jpg.361584
Dang, long time since I posted on Bnut! I've too busy with renovating my house...

You're right! I didn't quite 'see' the design, tilted to the left. But now it seems like a better idea. Thanks for reminding me :)
 

Fishtank307

Shohin
Messages
445
Reaction score
970
Location
Belgium
Last year I let it grow after cutting in back in summer. Definitely going to change the angle at the next repotting.
This was 2 weeks ago:
IMG20220318102319.jpg
Before cutback.

IMG20220318142617.jpg
After. I still have some more branches to cut back to, to create more taper. Still have to wire it too.

IMG20220318142622.jpg

IMG20220318142631.jpg

IMG20220318142637.jpg

IMG20220318142654.jpg

I'd love to hear some feedback! Not 100% sure about branch placement this one...
 

Attachments

  • IMG20220318142643.jpg
    IMG20220318142643.jpg
    150.9 KB · Views: 5

MHBonsai

Chumono
Messages
669
Reaction score
2,056
Location
Nashville, TN
USDA Zone
7a
Personally I like the original planting angle. It accentuates the awesome taper low on the trunk with it near vertical. And the angle change midway is such a unique feature. Accentuates it.
 

Fishtank307

Shohin
Messages
445
Reaction score
970
Location
Belgium
The canopy is starting to fill out. Still need a couple of branches more up top though!
IMG20220419191938.jpg

IMG20220419192028.jpg
Happy with the primary and secondary branches so far.

IMG20220419192109.jpg

IMG20220426130818.jpg
This is the backside. I figured the front could use a little more sunshine!

For those interested; I recently started writing blogs on my personal bonsai-website :) You can check it out at www.paludebonsai.be/blog
I wrote an article on shoot and bud selection in elm trees in spring. Pretty simple stuff, but maybe useful for beginners!
 

Tieball

Masterpiece
Messages
3,099
Reaction score
3,174
Location
Michigan. 6a
USDA Zone
6a
Well done! Superior results because of the patience and right proper hard pruning. Mighty fine! …..And I really appreciate your elm blog link.
 

Fishtank307

Shohin
Messages
445
Reaction score
970
Location
Belgium
Well done! Superior results because of the patience and right proper hard pruning. Mighty fine! …..And I really appreciate your elm blog link.
Thanks a lot! I think hard pruning is often overlooked... But it's so important to create taper and movement in branches.

My aproach is to let the branches grow, partially defoliate them and wire them in mid-spring, and then cut them back when they have fully hardened. I then repeat this once or twice more in summer.
 
Top Bottom