Elm Picture.

Love the nebari, trunk and, branch development...just a bit worried about the bar branch. If it is mine, the one on the right might have to be sacrificed (as painful as it may be).
 
No way LOL. It goes against the grain as an inside branch but IT makes the tree. The power along with the bend gives it a creepy humanistic look too it.
 
Like it. Looks like a person with arms outstretched imploring the heavens.

Are all of the upward facing branches the result of not wiring?
 
Can you make one of the huge branches the back of the plant,pointing directly straight back,adding depth.It looks like the new front would lean to the viewer if you did that.Great nebari on that thing and very powerful too.
 
I'm just curious as to what the other side looks like. Nice tree though.
 
Jason_mazzy said:
No way LOL. It goes against the grain as an inside branch but IT makes the tree. The power along with the bend gives it a creepy humanistic look too it.
Click to expand...

That's the beauty of bonsai...we all see and prefer different things. :)

It does have an Ent look to it. :D
 
I was running late for a Meeting at the lodge so I had to run. I will take a backside picture as there are 2 branches that I may be snipping or having to do some kind of crazy bending. 1 HAS to go and I hope it roots so i acan start again!

I look forward to posting pics.
 
Very nice elm. I can't help but think the front is the exact opposite side. The way the trunk curves, along with branch placement (at least from this angle) would mean the front is somewhere facing away from us... I also think I would wire this out with some heavy aluminum, or cut it back REALLY hard next year and then fertilize. Elms can put out some incredible growth and you could have a much nicer tree in very little time.
 
Brian Underwood said:
Very nice elm. I can't help but think the front is the exact opposite side. The way the trunk curves, along with branch placement (at least from this angle) would mean the front is somewhere facing away from us... I also think I would wire this out with some heavy aluminum, or cut it back REALLY hard next year and then fertilize. Elms can put out some incredible growth and you could have a much nicer tree in very little time.
Click to expand...

I agree. The apex is leaning away, there is a big scar and what looks like a back branch sticking out towards the view. I also think we are looking at a sort of back view.

Rob
 
I agree with Brian about the front and about perhaps doing a bit of wiring. Clip and grow is fine -- good for basic training with elms -- but when it comes to refining the image, you need to wire. Even I do it, and I HATE to wire.
 
The tree came from a man no longer able to care for his trees. I got a few and they are all nice and creepy full of character. The problem is they all were extremely rootbound and having already leafed out I didn't do any footwork in their weakened state. I poked a couple holes and added top soil and have fed them building up the strength. Next year they will a proper treatment and hopefully we will see some vigor.

Now while this is not a traditional front, this angle offers superior character. In some cases a rule break is needed or else all our trees would look the same. By clip and grow and allowing the branches to grow longer vertically than I would with other trees I feel I have added a humanity and amplified the character of the tree. The thicker shoots have began to look like fingers and the thinner like nails and growths. The scar gives the tree a place for emotion a face if you can see it. As that fills in and becomes a uro it will be even better. I see a man screaming to the heavens or a tree asking WHY!?

Now there is another front that is more traditional and I am pondering on how I can use it to create a two part tree. A yin and yang in one tree. Perhaps impossible but hopefully achievable.

The bonus is that no matter what if I keep it alive the Elm is easy to work with and could have a complete overhaul and still look good after a few years. This tree has many possibilities and is one of my best cores because of its versatility and challenges.
 
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Lignan [ clip and grow or grow and clip ] directional pruning, can do an elm from beginning to end, and will give a tree of great refinement.
The angular quality of the technique will be absorbed by the tree as it builds thickness all over, and look very natural.

Don't forget the negative spaces [ for the birds to fly through].

I would ask around to see if it truly too late for elm root work, as most of the guys down here prefer to repot in June/July, when the rains are heaviest, read flooding pots and hottest sun.
It does not affect them and they rejuvinate in under 6 weeks.

Good beginning.
Thanks for showing.
Good Morning.
Anthony
 
Jason_mazzy said:
The tree came from a man no longer able to care for his trees. I got a few and they are all nice and creepy full of character. The problem is they all were extremely rootbound and having already leafed out I didn't do any footwork in their weakened state. I poked a couple holes and added top soil and have fed them building up the strength. Next year they will a proper treatment and hopefully we will see some vigor.

Now while this is not a traditional front, this angle offers superior character. In some cases a rule break is needed or else all our trees would look the same. By clip and grow and allowing the branches to grow longer vertically than I would with other trees I feel I have added a humanity and amplified the character of the tree. The thicker shoots have began to look like fingers and the thinner like nails and growths. The scar gives the tree a place for emotion a face if you can see it. As that fills in and becomes a uro it will be even better. I see a man screaming to the heavens or a tree asking WHY!?

Now there is another front that is more traditional and I am pondering on how I can use it to create a two part tree. A yin and yang in one tree. Perhaps impossible but hopefully achievable.

The bonus is that no matter what if I keep it alive the Elm is easy to work with and could have a complete overhaul and still look good after a few years. This tree has many possibilities and is one of my best cores because of its versatility and challenges.
Click to expand...

There's nothing wrong with having a tree with two fronts...one of the reasons a round pot should be considered for this one down the road. Now, how about a picture or two from other angles:)?
 




these are the same branches from both sides. Deciding if I should remove one, bend both, or remove both.
 
I wish the pics were all from same height and taken as the pot is rotated (maybe 45* between shots). It would make it easier to understand what is happening.

What struck me most are the 2 big crossing roots. I am inclined to remove those since it looks like there are nice roots under them (based only on the pics and I could be mistaken). Then decide which is the best front before cutting any branches. JMHO
 
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the problem is I am using my iphone on a sunny day. I can't see crap on the phone because of the glare. The sun is getting lower so I will try again.
 
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