Hartinez
Masterpiece
The Siberian Elm, that ubiquitous, funky, half dead tree on every corner and empty lot of not only New Mexico but a number of states. I was just reading that 25 states have it listed as an invasive and 3 states heavily regulate the propagation. In the 1930’s mayor Tingley of Albuquerque advocated heavily for its planting, creating some of Albuquerque areas first tree canopy. But once the trees began out performing and sniffing out other native species locals began to call these trees Tingleys Foley and its millions of seed pods Tingleys tears. I have multiple, huge trees around my yard and come spring they are a nightmare. I spend the better part of early summer pulling the seedlings from garden beds. At one point eradication in cities was considered, but many have begun to rethink there benefits. Abq and Santa Fe in particular would lose the vast majority of its tree canopy if it were not for these trees and in a time where droughts are lasting longer and water is more scarce, a tree adept to these conditions becomes more and more appealing.
for me, the large scale trees are a pain, but as Bonsai, they are a great way to practice techniques and wiring. They are very hardy and difficult to kill, but not impossible as I’ve killed several over the years. Mostly due to my aggressive timeline for work. and in many cases the entire tree does not die, I lose an important section and realize the tree is not worth regrowing key branches and toss it in the scrap heap. Over carving into the live vein seems to be what has killed most branches as every other siberian I’ve owned, I’ve carved extensively. While I’ve read that branches tend to die off here and there regardless, the current tree I have has not had that issue at all and so I didn’t entirely believe they are a lost cause for bonsai. On the contrary, there abundance, resiliency and overall characteristics make them great little trees. They just can’t be worked with the same rigor that I thought they could. Worked hard, yes, but not out of season and overly aggressive.
Ive had this tree since 2015, where it was dug from a dried Acequia near the Rio grande. It’s a great twin trunk that initially had at least 2” taller on each trunk. In design I’ve been shooting for a mother/daughOver the years I’ve shortened each trunk for proper movement and scale. I’ve also made lots of silly/rookie mistakes in its development.
mistakes
i should have chopped more aggresively from the get go.
I should have worked on the nebari much sooner.
a thread graft I started 2 years ago, died when I tried separating too soon.
thread grafting roots is STUPID and is not how you improve the nebari.
the positives.
The trunk and bark has began to really mature.
once the trunks were shortened to a better height, better looking crowns are beginning to form. And a proper scale for a twin trunk has taken place.
I’ve been able to wire great movement in to the branches.
the leaves are wonderfully small mid summer and the growth is vigorous.
plans for the future.
approach grafting the abundance of seedlings I have to improve the nebari, or work on ground layering more surface roots.
seperate current thread graft next early summer.
continue to ramify crown and continue to work on healing chops.
repot at an angle more condusive to a mother daughter design and so the trunks do not move away from the viewer.
Lastly, a question I have.
should I remove the bottom right branch on the larger trunk? I’ve got a rule following design at the moment and I was thinking that maybe removing that branch and wiring the twigs upward would give the design more of a natural feel.
spring 2017
Winter 2017
Spring 2019. The air layer didnt take
early fall 2019
for me, the large scale trees are a pain, but as Bonsai, they are a great way to practice techniques and wiring. They are very hardy and difficult to kill, but not impossible as I’ve killed several over the years. Mostly due to my aggressive timeline for work. and in many cases the entire tree does not die, I lose an important section and realize the tree is not worth regrowing key branches and toss it in the scrap heap. Over carving into the live vein seems to be what has killed most branches as every other siberian I’ve owned, I’ve carved extensively. While I’ve read that branches tend to die off here and there regardless, the current tree I have has not had that issue at all and so I didn’t entirely believe they are a lost cause for bonsai. On the contrary, there abundance, resiliency and overall characteristics make them great little trees. They just can’t be worked with the same rigor that I thought they could. Worked hard, yes, but not out of season and overly aggressive.
Ive had this tree since 2015, where it was dug from a dried Acequia near the Rio grande. It’s a great twin trunk that initially had at least 2” taller on each trunk. In design I’ve been shooting for a mother/daughOver the years I’ve shortened each trunk for proper movement and scale. I’ve also made lots of silly/rookie mistakes in its development.
mistakes
i should have chopped more aggresively from the get go.
I should have worked on the nebari much sooner.
a thread graft I started 2 years ago, died when I tried separating too soon.
thread grafting roots is STUPID and is not how you improve the nebari.
the positives.
The trunk and bark has began to really mature.
once the trunks were shortened to a better height, better looking crowns are beginning to form. And a proper scale for a twin trunk has taken place.
I’ve been able to wire great movement in to the branches.
the leaves are wonderfully small mid summer and the growth is vigorous.
plans for the future.
approach grafting the abundance of seedlings I have to improve the nebari, or work on ground layering more surface roots.
seperate current thread graft next early summer.
continue to ramify crown and continue to work on healing chops.
repot at an angle more condusive to a mother daughter design and so the trunks do not move away from the viewer.
Lastly, a question I have.
should I remove the bottom right branch on the larger trunk? I’ve got a rule following design at the moment and I was thinking that maybe removing that branch and wiring the twigs upward would give the design more of a natural feel.
spring 2017
Winter 2017
Spring 2019. The air layer didnt take
early fall 2019