New Siberian Elm

[takeme4granite]

Hey guys,
Just dug up this Siberian elm yesterday. I think it has a lot of potential but not sure what direction to take it. I made a couple mock ups on ideas of what to do but any advice/suggestions are welcome!

 

[ponderingsage]

It's nice that it has movement. Most l see when out digging are straight with no taper. They're pretty resilant as well. So cutting back is typically not a problem, although you might not since it is already potted.

 

[takeme4granite]

It's nice that it has movement. Most l see when out digging are straight with no taper. They're pretty resilant as well. So cutting back is typically not a problem, although you might not since it is already potted.

Just wondering why I wouldn’t want to cut it back if it’s already potted? I cut it back some before I dug it and was planning on cutting it back more once I figured out what exactly I want to do with that. Is that a bad idea?

 

[M. Frary]

You could have cut that thing down to where you want to start the next top section.
Leaving extra on the hole or trunk isn't needed with these brjtes.
They sprout right out of the top cut.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

I like this plan as your future tree.

Couple things about Siberian elm, Ulmus pumila.

They need full sun. Part shade, or if one side of the tree faces a building or other structure that shades that side, eventually branches that are not in full sun die off. So rotate your tree often, so sun gets to all sides, and keep it in full sun. Other elms tolerate, or even appreciate shade. Siberian elm is only a full sun elm.

They need frequent repotting, once every other year, to once a year. Root system develops fast.

Otherwise I find them pretty easy to grow and develop.

 

[takeme4granite]

I like this plan as your future tree.

Couple things about Siberian elm, Ulmus pumila.

They need full sun. Part shade, or if one side of the tree faces a building or other structure that shades that side, eventually branches that are not in full sun die off. So rotate your tree often, so sun gets to all sides, and keep it in full sun. Other elms tolerate, or even appreciate shade. Siberian elm is only a full sun elm.

They need frequent repotting, once every other year, to once a year. Root system develops fast.

Otherwise I find them pretty easy to grow and develop.

Wait, which plan are you a fan of? I had 2 different ones.

Also, when I dug it up, I wasn't able to get many roots up

(There is one larger root that you can't see in that picture but still not many roots. From what I have read, these things will be okay with major root work. Hopefully it will live, but I have been keeping it in partial shade so that it will have a better chance to recover. Should I put it in full sun now?
Thanks!

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Sorry,
I liked this plan
& I would put it in full sun right away. They are tough, they want sun, they will only open the leaves the roots can support, as roots establish, more leaves, more buds will open.

I did notice you are in Utah, if you know any local bonsai people, who also know Siberian elm, ask them, but I would really start out right away in full sun.
Are you at elevation? or are you down in the low lands, the stinking hot desert?

 

[M. Frary]

Wait, which plan are you a fan of? I had 2 different ones.

Also, when I dug it up, I wasn't able to get many roots up
View attachment 294623
(There is one larger root that you can't see in that picture but still not many roots. From what I have read, these things will be okay with major root work. Hopefully it will live, but I have been keeping it in partial shade so that it will have a better chance to recover. Should I put it in full sun now?
Thanks!

If you were able to keep a few of the fine feeder roots it should recover.
Also put it in full sun now.

 

[takeme4granite]

Sorry,
I liked this plan
& I would put it in full sun right away. They are tough, they want sun, they will only open the leaves the roots can support, as roots establish, more leaves, more buds will open.

I did notice you are in Utah, if you know any local bonsai people, who also know Siberian elm, ask them, but I would really start out right away in full sun.
Are you at elevation? or are you down in the low lands, the stinking hot desert?

Hm okay, I cut the trunks more today to where i think I want them and I think I like the idea of a little sub trunk coming from the bottom left. I am in salt lake city around 4600 ft above sea level. I don't know any other bonsai people here. I just got into this and I had just missed the February meeting of the bonsai club and have since been quarantined for the march meeting :/ I would have loved to go

 

[takeme4granite]

Update on the location of my chops. I hope I didn't cut the main trunk too short..

 

[takeme4granite]

So, after the chop, this tree is starting to backbud...only in the wrong places. Well there are a few buds that may be usable but many that aren't. Should I remove the unwanted buds, or leave them to grow to help the tree get healthy again? If I should get rid of them, what is the best way to do that? I've hear about pinching and rubbing buds but I don't really know what that means.

Thanks!!

 

[moke]

So, after the chop, this tree is starting to backbud...only in the wrong places. Well there are a few buds that may be usable but many that aren't. Should I remove the unwanted buds, or leave them to grow to help the tree get healthy again? If I should get rid of them, what is the best way to do that? I've hear about pinching and rubbing buds but I don't really know what that means.

Thanks!!
View attachment 296928

Just remove the buds you don't have any intentions of using in the final design, you can do this by simply "rubbing" the fresh soft buds off no need to even cut them they simply rub off or pinch them off if you would like.
Check out my thread on my Siberian, https://www.bonsainut.com/threads/ulmus-pumila-carnivorous.33557/
It basically was a blank stump like yours and I just kept rubbing and pinching unwanted buds and let the buds grow where I wanted them.
Looks like a good start by the way.
Where you located in Utah? I live in Stockton, Utah.

 

[takeme4granite]

Okay, that make sense. I wasn't sure if I should just let it grow for a season to let it recover after being dug up from the ground. I'm happy to see buds so soon after I dug it up and chopped it.

Yeah, I've looked at your thread before...cool tree!! I think its very well executed. Could have looked tacky but you did it well.

I live in Millcreek (South Salt Lake). I've ridden my bike through Stockton once when i tried to bike around the Oquirr Mountains, but was too nervous and tired to bike the shoulder of the interstate for an exit leaving Tooele, so I got my girlfriend to pick me up haha. Not much going on in Stockton, but seems like a nice place to live. Have you ever tried to get a collection permit from the BLM to get a maple or something? I contacted the Salt Lake Forest Service Ranger District and they said that they don't issue collection permits here, but that they probably do in the BLM over your way.