Elm that thinks its a Ficus

[Jeremy]

This is an English Elm i purchased last year, Ive always been fascinated by them but they arent found locally. Got this one from a guy who collected it in the southern states. They are considered a pest here and they are usually found on farmland.

Anyway, I thought it had a unique trunk with all the aerial roots. Ive been looking at it with confusion as i want it to styled as a deciduous tree but it just looks like a banyan .. just no clear direction in the small trunks.

Ive basically pruned back all growth on all the trunks, but ive been playing around with photos and think I could make it more dynamic with a tilt to the left and only using two trunks at the front, the rest would be deadwood. Would love any opinions on how this tree should be tackled.
Im going to put it in a larger pot to fire away for a few seasons.

 

[carp]

When I see the second photo, I want to know why you're hiding that beautiful shari on the backside of the tree? Show a picture of the current "back" of the tree. I think you should be displaying that shari on the front. You trunks are leaning that way already, which hints that should be the front.

Also, the aerial roots aren't a common thing displayed on a deciduous tree and I understand that's why you want to show them. But they are unsightly. In a good way though. You said this is a collected tree, which means it happened naturally. And when you say it is a natural occurrence, it forces you believe that somewhere in the world, there's another English Elm over 1,000 years old with aerial roots like these. I mean, every other Elm you've seen hasn't ever had roots like those, so for an English Elm to have done this naturally; it MUST be ancient.

Another advantage of having those roots in the back (if that's what you so chose) is that this is 3-D art. You want someone to look at the shari in the front and think, yes old tree, and as they move around to the back say, oh my god this is ancient. It's like a woman's leg. It's more alluring when she lifts up her skirt and shows you just a little bit of thigh, it makes you want to see.

That's just my opinion. I haven't even seen what my suggested front looks like.

 

[Cmanz]

I agree with carp. That shari is a great feature and would make an interesting front. I also like the aerial roots but feel they look less natural when the tree is tilted. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[GrimLore]

That really has great potential If mine I would change the front as suggested but I would not tip it at all. Tipping it would change the look from an ancient tree to a want to be juniper - just my thoughts.

Grimmy

 

[lackhand]

I agree with the others, 2 should be the front and no tilt. Looks very ancient, and shows the best character of the tree. Just my two cents though, this has lots of potential so should make a nice tree whatever you decide. Keep us updated.

 

[carp]

The jury has spoken, post a picture with the shari in the front of the tree, please.

 

[Jeremy]

Another advantage of having those roots in the back (if that's what you so chose) is that this is 3-D art. You want someone to look at the shari in the front and think, yes old tree, and as they move around to the back say, oh my god this is ancient. It's like a woman's leg. It's more alluring when she lifts up her skirt and shows you just a little bit of thigh, it makes you want to see.

Carp, I like the way you write. Humorous yet informing.
Thanks to everyone else who replied, indeed the jury has spoken. Here are some more shots from around the tree. Perhaps the last shot is the front?

 

[carp]

The third photo is your front.
It looks like you took the photo from the front of the tree.
Go to Google Images and type in "ancient oak".
I really feel like that is how the tree should be styled.

It looks so f**king ancient and it all I can think is "holy shit".
Seriously, this tree will be an award winning shohin, in no time.
It is a shohin right?

 

[Kodama16]

I personally like the tilt idea better: )

 

[Jeremy]

The third photo is your front.
It looks like you took the photo from the front of the tree.
Go to Google Images and type in "ancient oak".
I really feel like that is how the tree should be styled.

It looks so f**king ancient and it all I can think is "holy shit".
Seriously, this tree will be an award winning shohin, in no time.
It is a shohin right?

Full oak style with arching branches? A real fantasy style tree. Similar to the original idea I had in mind.
From photo 3 its 12 inches tall, should be a little taller when finished.

 

[tmpgh]

I like it upright with the scar in front. This could be a fantastic tree like that, imo.

 

[Tieball]

The third photo is your front.
It looks like you took the photo from the front of the tree.
Go to Google Images and type in "ancient oak".
I really feel like that is how the tree should be styled.

I agree. The potential to design this elm like some of those "ancient oaks" is fabulous. I enjoy that gnarly aged by nature look in a tree. The tree makes a statement of character.

 

[carp]

In my opinion, the squatter the tree the better. I love mame, shohin, and sumo styles. 12inches is out of the shohin world, but that doesn't make it any less valuable. I don't think would want to bring the overall height of three beyond 15inches. Thats just my opinion.

 

[Jeremy]

Im in the same boat, Carp. With a thick trunk and strong taper, shohin sized trees can give a very powerful image. Hopefully the trunks throw out some lower buds so I can build taper and get some lower branching happening this season.

 

[James H]

That is an awesome tree. I wish that I could find something that has half as much character as that tree. I would be very tempted to carve out that cut scar and stain it, giving it a really old hollowed out look. Gram Potter has a video where he carved out a tree like yours and it really gave it a great old look.

 

[Jeremy]

2 years on... I've ditched the aerial roots. I originally felt they added interest but really they were just a distraction, plus they were hiding a lot of the trunks character.
I am yet to work out how to achieve more than one real growth flush per season, I tried partial defoliation last year but it only resulted in a few new shoots here and there, most not useable as they were too far out along the branches. Not to worry, I've left all shoots unpruned and wired them out. Once the buds are swelling I can trim a few areas back. Lets see where the next 2 years gets me...

 

[sorce]

Killer....

Speaking of killer....

Next time use a sheet you didn't kill someone on! Ban guns...resort to knives!

This is wicked! Looks great without the ficus roots!

Sorce

 

[Jeremy]

Dammit, I knew someone would at least pick on the crinkles, let alone the blood stains. Duly noted, @sorce...in my defence I did go for the timber background but the bark blended in too well and didn't make for a decent photograph. It's all in the detail

 

[sorce]

I shouldn't have even messed with you...
No one else will notice for the tree!

It's awesome!

Sorce

 

[Jeremy]

I could say the new front was a stand against @carp's intended view, but that may be used as evidence...in any case, I'm actually surprised at the progress looking at the pics. I'd love some advice from @BobbyLane and in the meantime will be studying the carving work of will baddeley