Looking for Pics of "S" Shaped Elm

[dbonsaiw]

I'm trying to figure out what an "S" shapes Chinese elm looks like once the branches have ramified and the canopy is totally filled in. Any pics would be appreciated.

 

[Tieball]

Google Chinese elm bonsai s shape. Select the Images tab. There should be several image examples to fill your curiosity.

 

[dbonsaiw]

Google Chinese elm bonsai s shape. Select the Images tab. There should be several image examples to fill your curiosity.

I know we are a mixed bag here on BonsaiNut, But I tend to try to research things myself before asking a question. Plenty of pics on the Google of trees with pads in the starter form, but I wanted to see what this tree can look like 25 years now.

 

[BobbyLane]

google Walter pall chinese elm. not really s shapes but a good indicator of time none the less, there's also a story behind one of his which I read a long time ago, it was once a cookie cutter style tree that he transitioned into a more natural tree. Most s shapes tend to get scrapped/chopped before they reach a 'finished' state, with many becoming dissatisfied with them. Im sure you'll find a few if you dig hard though. can we see yours, maybe someone can rustle up a virt for you.

 

[BobbyLane]

This isnt the typical exaggerated mallsai S, but its somewhat of an S, more subtle...its not a finished tree, but maybe it would give you an idea

 

[BobbyLane]

Theres a little s shape here. Now you can do your own research

 

[BobbyLane]

Here's another one of Potters old Elms, ive shared all this stuff many times over the forum, I urge people to bookmark inspiring photos of good trees. Theres a few ive shared on the thread entitled kaizenblog https://www.grahampotterbonsai.com/?s=favourite+elm

 

[dbonsaiw]

Here's an older pic of what I'm working with. A true "S". Personally, I don't see a future for this one and am open to suggestions.

 

[BobbyLane]

Here's an older pic of what I'm working with. A true "S". Personally, I don't see a future for this one and am open to suggestions.

You wont be the first and last to say that...
I have seen some folk flip them over to make rafts with decent results. Theres a couple on here somewhere. Could also stick it in the ground and forget about it, chop away at it and build a new shape as others have done.

 

[dbonsaiw]

You wont be the first and last to say that...
I have seen some folk flip them over to make rafts with decent results. Theres a couple on here somewhere. Could also stick it in the ground and forget about it, chop away at it and build a new shape as others have done.

I kinda like that idea. Always wanted a raft, although didn't expect this to be the one. Seems like a next year project so I have some time to research.

 

[Tieball]

I know we are a mixed bag here on BonsaiNut, But I tend to try to research things myself before asking a question. Plenty of pics on the Google of trees with pads in the starter form, but I wanted to see what this tree can look like 25 years now.

Okay. I didn’t know exactly what you were looking for with that s shape.

 

[fredman]

I have a typical S bent one that i've been working on for about 8 years. I'll get some pics together tonight...

 

[Paradox]

This one is a bit of an "S" shape. I really dislike the 'S" shaped trees, this one I was able to tolerate enough to buy it.
I've seen pictures of ones that really look like an "S"

 

[FreshAirSunshine]

@IzzyG has the only S-shaped (ish) tree I’ve liked and it’s name is Bolt

 

[coltranem]

Here's an older pic of what I'm working with. A true "S". Personally, I don't see a future for this one and am open to suggestions.

Could air layer off some of the top then build something from the bottom branch down.

 

[Apex37]

This has been shared around here a few times, but figured it might give you some ideas on what to do with yours. Dr. Chuah’s blog as a whole has a lot of useful threads.

Air Layering a Chinese Elm Mallsai into Two Shohin Bonsai

The Chinese elm shohin in this display was air-layered from a mallsai. This post shows the progression of the transformation. Mallsai is a term coined in the US; it refers to mass produced bonsai s…

bonsaipenjing.wordpress.com

 

[leatherback]

I have seen some folk flip them over to make rafts with decent results. Theres a couple on here somewhere. Could also stick it in the ground and forget about it, chop away at it and build a new shape as others have done.

That was one of the experiments I did a few years ago. Did not survive my merciless work one spring. Still beating myself up because it was going somewhere.

 

[Potawatomi13]

Here's an older pic of what I'm working with. A true "S". Personally, I don't see a future for this one and am open to suggestions.

Indeed. Cut off above 2nd or 3rd bend. Develop great tree from there.

 

[fredman]

Here's an older pic of what I'm working with. A true "S". Personally, I don't see a future for this one and am open to suggestions.

The S elm definitely works for me...if the S isn't to over pronounced.
I was given this one 8 years ago. Luckily it has only slight bends.
Here's how I received it...and some progression shots of it.


Hopefully it can turn out something like this some day.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Here's an old one that I have.

Before:


After: