My Cork Bark Project

[fraser67]

I bought this guy this past spring. I liked the trunk and the base...but it needed some work. I felt there were too many scars and deformaties that were exposed due to lack of branches. I've done a bit of carving...more to be done. I did a thread graft as well as allow a couple branches to mature.
It responded really well after the repot, being in better soil as well as this box with a full screen bottom. I may shorten it again next year...but certainly plan to let this sucker fill out.
What do ya'll think?

 

[sorce]

Love the bark and trunk.

Shorter will serve it well.

Scars aren't too unnatural.

I would like to see you get that first branch to divide and move a little closer to the trunk.

Does it not bud well enough to omit grafting? I feel it unnecessary, but I am still 70% against grafting at all.


Thanks for sharing!

Sorce

 

[M. Frary]

I would bend that top lead over the centerline of the tree while you can. I would then let it grow to fatten up to make a nicer transition.
Also I have a few varieties of elm and have found that after being cut back they put out buds everywhere. Chinese elm varieties with cork bark seem to do it better than others. I have never attempted a graft so awesome job!
As for being shorter. Most people stick to the 6 to 1 rule. Me included but sometimes a taller more elegant tree is beautiful too.

 

[fraser67]

I agree about the top lead...though I'm going to shorten it about 3". I let a leader go to about 6' that I cut recently building more taper up top.
Yes they do back bud vigorously...I just didn't have anything in the middle back. The graft has taken...I'll wait till spring to cut.
I want to bring the bottom left branch where it's split down into the front left and fill in...it'll take a couple years...it does seem to be very happy.
The big scars up top had created some reverse taper and didn't look natural...some unsightly cuts had been made...I'm hoping I can correct with some more carving and letting some smaller branches go to help heal.

 

[Milly]

I really like this tree. It has a lot of character especially from the second picture. It just needs for the reverse taper, which you've mentioned, to be sorted and also to develop ramification on the branches for you to have a very good bonsai. Keep it simple and natural.