Siberian elm #1

[dkraft81]

I thought I would start a thread on an elm I collected this spring. The tree was about 6' tall when I coolected it in my brothers field. The tree it self showed signs of being chopped down several time by a brush hog (It was growing in a hay field.) It had a long tap rot, and very little feeder rots up near the base. The however took off like a weed as expected. These trees grow everywhere and are nearly impossible to kill. Anyway here are some photos for you guys. The first one is sort of hard to see it is the only picture I can find that has it after collection.

Because this tree was growing with so much vigor, I decided to break the rules and work on the tree here are a couple of before and afters.

Here is the tree as of tonight.

Further plans are to continue developing the canopy as well as the root system. From what I can tell the grow box has already been filled with roots. The branch on the left side i would like to get some better movement in it.

Hope you guys enjoy.

 

[fore]

I've been told that S. elms don't make good bonsai as they can loose a branch without cause. I have one, but it's just for decoration for the back porch. If or when it does loose a branch, I'm not worried about it lol

 

[raydomz]

Looks like a very promising tree, good find.
I wouldn't worry too much about anything other than letting it get vigorous at this point.
With the growth rate and rather bulletproof nature of these trees as a whole I also wouldn't be concerned about the the random branch loss, just grow another

 

[dkraft81]

Im not too worried about branch loss. At the rate this thing grows, anout an inch or more a week, I should be ok if I do loose one. I would bet the greatest risk for loosing a branch would be over winter.

 

[dkraft81]

update

So here is an update on the tree. I have been very pleased with this years development. I am really looking forward to next summers progress.

As always thoughts and suggestions are welcome.

 

[JudyB]

Looking good and healthy. Good growing this season. Your wiring looks good too, but doesn't look like its doing much actual bending on the large trunk. Is the right trunk flexible at all? If so, then I would say to get a good bend as low as possible, and think about chopping to grow a new leader for taper in another year or so. I would probably chop the left one to grow a new leader this spring if I were planning on keeping it.

 

[dkraft81]

Looking good and healthy. Good growing this season. Your wiring looks good too, but doesn't look like its doing much actual bending on the large trunk. Is the right trunk flexible at all? If so, then I would say to get a good bend as low as possible, and think about chopping to grow a new leader for taper in another year or so. I would probably chop the left one to grow a new leader this spring if I were planning on keeping it.

Thanks for the ideas Judy. The right hand trunk is flexible to some degree. Right now the trunk is being pulled back, it was really leaning forward. The base is not as flexible, but I agree some movement left and right would be good. I plan to leave the wire and guy wire on until next spring, I will probably try to get movement in both trunks next spring.

 

[edprocoat]

Nice ! What does the base look like? I love the main trunk it would make a nice tree by itself. I'd love to see next years growth, keep us posted.

ed

 

[dkraft81]

Nice ! What does the base look like? I love the main trunk it would make a nice tree by itself. I'd love to see next years growth, keep us posted.

ed

Ed here is a close up of the base. I also included the right side of the tree as well.

 

[Si Nguyen]

Hi Dkraft, one thing to consider: Don't let the wires cut into the trunks, not even for a little bit. In fact, I would even suggest that you remove the wires that are twisted around some of the lower trunks now. Any wire cutting scars on these trunks will ruin the wild, yamadori feel of this bonsai. That would be a shame because the wires were probably not doing much anyway.
Good luck!