What are these trees?

[alexcross]

Hey everybody! I'm brand new to this forum and am recently getting into bonsais. I've done a lot of research in the past but decided to finally go for it! I drove down to my conveniently local Chinese nursery and picked up 2 nice looking little trees. I've grown gardens forever and take care of smaller trees in my back yard, so I'm slightly familiar. I'm consistently doing research and I have a few questions for you guys.

What is the species and approximate age of the two trees?

1)This tree has some crazy branches that I love. I'm not sure where I want to go with it yet, but I feel that it has potential. Any suggestions?
http://www.alexandercross.com/pics/BonsaiA(1).jpg
http://www.alexandercross.com/pics/BonsaiA(2).jpg

2)This tree is a lot younger and I feel would be a good candidate for a formal upright. I have a wire keeping it straight for now. Thoughts?
http://www.alexandercross.com/pics/BonsaiB(1).jpg
http://www.alexandercross.com/pics/BonsaiB(2).jpg

Thank you in advance! I look forward to getting more into the hobby and getting to know you guys.

 

[Poink88]

Bonsai A looks like an Elm (maybe Chinese)
Bonsai B - no idea. Fix the 2nd pic it is duplicate of A

 

[C.A. Young]

Hey everybody! I'm brand new to this forum and am recently getting into bonsais. I've done a lot of research in the past but decided to finally go for it! I drove down to my conveniently local Chinese nursery and picked up 2 nice looking little trees. I've grown gardens forever and take care of smaller trees in my back yard, so I'm slightly familiar. I'm consistently doing research and I have a few questions for you guys.

What is the species and approximate age of the two trees?

1)This tree has some crazy branches that I love. I'm not sure where I want to go with it yet, but I feel that it has potential. Any suggestions?
http://www.alexandercross.com/pics/BonsaiA(1).jpg
http://www.alexandercross.com/pics/BonsaiA(2).jpg

2)This tree is a lot younger and I feel would be a good candidate for a formal upright. I have a wire keeping it straight for now. Thoughts?
http://www.alexandercross.com/pics/BonsaiB(1).jpg
http://www.alexandercross.com/pics/BonsaiA(2).jpg

Thank you in advance! I look forward to getting more into the hobby and getting to know you guys.

100% sure those are chinese elms (ulmus parvifolia).

 

[misfit11]

100% sure those are chinese elms (ulmus parvifolia).

The first tree is an elm. Whether or not it is Chinese Elm I cannot say for sure. The second one, however, is most definitely not an elm. The leaves are opposite. Elms are alternate. It could be some sort of Privet but I can't say for sure.

 

[KennedyMarx]

On the first one I think the initial thing you'd need to do is deal with that first branch with the reverse taper. Either cut it off or air layer it.

After that you'd want to try to coax buds out lower down on the trunk to try to reduce the height of it. Pinching the growing tips might help to do it, defoliation as well, that or you could just chop the trunk down. I'd wait until I knew it was very healthy to do anything drastic.

 

[C.A. Young]

The first tree is an elm. Whether or not it is Chinese Elm I cannot say for sure. The second one, however, is most definitely not an elm. The leaves are opposite. Elms are alternate. It could be some sort of Privet but I can't say for sure.

Sorry, my bad, I didn't see the second tree. It's some sort of tropical, my best guess is brush cherry (eugenia). But misfit could be right about the privet.

 

[alexcross]

Here's a better picture of the smaller plant.

 

[chris38383838]

I agree that it does look like a eugenia. Be careful when wiring those branches. They are fairly flexible... until they snap. Try wiring one branch you intend to cut to test how much you can bend on this tree.