Monster elm project

[Fishtank307]

Repotted this tree last week. It was incredibly pot bound! I had to saw the rootball in half.

After taking these pictures, I watered the rootball. The whole repotting took me a lot longer than expected!


Three very thick roots. I'm planning on taking cuttings early summer, so I can graft some roots next year.


One root in back sticking out of the soil. Today I noticed the roots were bleeding. I hope it regains its vigour!






Happy with the movement I put in the primary branches last growing season.

 

[Fishtank307]

The backside:

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

I think the previous suggestion to change the angle the trunk leaves the soil was spot on. Maybe next time you repot? In this image I would lean the trunk maybe 15 to 30 degrees to the left. This would make the upper segment near to vertical. You don't want it to be fully vertical, but near to vertical would be visually more pleasing.

 

[Fishtank307]

I think the previous suggestion to change the angle the trunk leaves the soil was spot on. Maybe next time you repot? In this image I would lean the trunk maybe 15 to 30 degrees to the left. This would make the upper segment near to vertical. You don't want it to be fully vertical, but near to vertical would be visually more pleasing.

Dang, long time since I posted on Bnut! I've too busy with renovating my house...

You're right! I didn't quite 'see' the design, tilted to the left. But now it seems like a better idea. Thanks for reminding me

 

[Fishtank307]

Last year I let it grow after cutting in back in summer. Definitely going to change the angle at the next repotting.
This was 2 weeks ago:

Before cutback.


After. I still have some more branches to cut back to, to create more taper. Still have to wire it too.









I'd love to hear some feedback! Not 100% sure about branch placement this one...

 

[MHBonsai]

Personally I like the original planting angle. It accentuates the awesome taper low on the trunk with it near vertical. And the angle change midway is such a unique feature. Accentuates it.

 

[Fishtank307]

The canopy is starting to fill out. Still need a couple of branches more up top though!



Happy with the primary and secondary branches so far.




This is the backside. I figured the front could use a little more sunshine!

For those interested; I recently started writing blogs on my personal bonsai-website You can check it out at www.paludebonsai.be/blog
I wrote an article on shoot and bud selection in elm trees in spring. Pretty simple stuff, but maybe useful for beginners!

 

[Tieball]

Well done! Superior results because of the patience and right proper hard pruning. Mighty fine! …..And I really appreciate your elm blog link.

 

[Fishtank307]

Well done! Superior results because of the patience and right proper hard pruning. Mighty fine! …..And I really appreciate your elm blog link.

Thanks a lot! I think hard pruning is often overlooked... But it's so important to create taper and movement in branches.

My aproach is to let the branches grow, partially defoliate them and wire them in mid-spring, and then cut them back when they have fully hardened. I then repeat this once or twice more in summer.

 

[Fishtank307]

Almost a month later and it was due for a first cutback:



The bottom branches were a bit weak, so I left them to grow a bit more.