Fall colors

[noissee]

I am finally getting around to actually posting something again. This is an elm I have had for a few years, and this past fall's colors were especially nice.
The tree is actually close to leafing out now. It has big green buds probably just days away from being leaves.

One thing that is frustrating is the lack of branches on the back side. This tree is rather two dimensional right now. I'm planning on letting it grow a nice round crown of foliage from the second branch upward.

I have toyed with the idea of taking of the first branch all together, but if I do it would be years in the future. What do yall think?

 

[noissee]

I found a pic of what it looked like the day I got it. Fairly ugly roots, and awkward branching, but I loved the aged looking trunk. It actually really barked up in a bonsai pot. In fact, probably 65% of the bark has flaked off since I've had it.

 

[DaveV]

I would not take off the first branch, not unless your planning on letting it get taller.

 

[noissee]

No, I'm not planning on it being taller. My plan now is to wait until I have a fairly full crown before I decide on removing that bottom branch or not, so it will be a few years yet.

 

[Zach Smith]

I am finally getting around to actually posting something again. This is an elm I have had for a few years, and this past fall's colors were especially nice.
The tree is actually close to leafing out now. It has big green buds probably just days away from being leaves.

One thing that is frustrating is the lack of branches on the back side. This tree is rather two dimensional right now. I'm planning on letting it grow a nice round crown of foliage from the second branch upward.

I have toyed with the idea of taking of the first branch all together, but if I do it would be years in the future. What do yall think?

Nice tree. Why not thread graft a back branch? This should be doable in about two seasons. And definitely leave the first branch alone.

Zach

 

[noissee]

Thread graft is most likely in this tree's future. I had actually already tried one but it didn't take. It would be really nice to just get a bud to pop though.

 

[bonsaiTOM]

Would you consider 'lowering' the first 2 or 3 branches a bit by wiring or tie-downs? Not drastically - just to a more horizontal position.

 

[noissee]

I don't know Tom, I've thought about it. Currently, my reasoning for not lowering them is that this is a deciduous tree, and it seemed more natural for the branches to grow slightly upward.
Actually, after a second look at my picture, I think the lowest branch might benefit from being lowered some. It will most likely not be part of the crown like the other branches.