a little design help please

[painter]

im unsure which way to take this guy. a round top maple look or a pad stylized chinese elm with sumo- ish dimensions?

 

[Bonsai Nut]

This is going to be tough material to work with because of that gnarly trunk scar. You'll have to be careful how that heals or you may end up with a big knot / bulge right in the middle of the tree. If you look critically at the tree you can already see that there is some reverse taper going on that you will want to address. Your first (and last) photos are your best choices for the front - however your apex is heading in the wrong direction and the tree looks a little off-balance right now to me. The bottom of the tree leans right, so the tree will look more balanced if the rest of the tree leans right as well. You don't want the tree to look like a crescent moon - you want it to look more like a lightning bolt (I'm using broad generalizations here). I would consider wiring the apex right, cutting it to about 1" or 2" long, and then letting the tree bud back strongly.

Alternate plan would be to let the tree grow wild until the big trunk scar heals, and then see what you have to work with...

 

[Ang3lfir3]

This is going to be tough material to work with because of that gnarly trunk scar.

Gotta say I personally disagree (who saw that coming...) ..... I think the scar is by far the best part of this tree.... a decent base and that great scar

Wire the branch on the left down.... chop off the huge top and use that small branch as the new leader..... wire the branches on the right to make em gnarly and you the makings of an interesting tree....

certainly one that is unique..... and of course you want head for more of a domed natural look and not the silly poofy pad look seen on so many chinese elms.... interesting tree

 

[bonsai barry]

If you decide to keep the present structure, I would be very careful with the upper branches. They are thicker than the lower branches which makes the tree look less natural. I agree with Anglfr3, I'd reduce the top and recreate the apex with smaller branches.

 

[october]

I think this tree can become a very successful bonsai. However, I think that it might be almost completely up to the tree and not necessarilly in the styling. That top is the main problem. The tree needs to create a whole new top. If you are very lucky, you may get a few buds on the upper trunk. Then you could get a new apex and chop off the top. Also, If you chop off where I made the red line now, it might force it to bud in that region. However, I would prefer that the tree was a bit healthier before any work was carried out. Also, I would wait and see if and where you do get buds and see how strong you can get them.

In any case with young branches on elms, you would always want to wait until you get at least 6 sets of leaves or until the branch turns to wood before you cut it back. Cutting it before that time could lead to the branch dying.

I hope this is helpful

Rob

 

[october]

p.s. a virt for the possible future look of the tree

 

[painter]

thanks everyone for the replies.and the virt.
angelfire, a little clarification on the chop location please.from which photo, you said pull the left branch down and wire the other (thin)one as the new leader, correct, which direction should it move in?
i was letting the top go to help heal the wound which is getting there, i didnt want the next chop to be huge as well to heal.
im not a fan of the stylized pom pom look either.
painter

 

[Ang3lfir3]

thanks everyone for the replies.and the virt.
angelfire, a little clarification on the chop location please.from which photo, you said pull the left branch down and wire the other (thin)one as the new leader, correct, which direction should it move in?
i was letting the top go to help heal the wound which is getting there, i didnt want the next chop to be huge as well to heal.
im not a fan of the stylized pom pom look either.
painter

all of my comments are related to the second picture... the one with the scar prominently in front...

the only thing I would remove is the large thick thing at the top... at the base of that large thick branch at the current apex is a small twig.... that's the new top

 

[painter]

cool
got it
thanks again