Styling advice?

[bonsaichile]

Hi! I just got this Jaqueline Hillier elm and I was wondering if I could get some tips about styiling it. My plan is not to do anything until next year, of course. But it would be nice to hear what the rest of you think. It is 17 inches tall and has a 3/4 inch trunk base. All comments are appreciated!

 

[Soldano666]

Grow it out. Or make it smaller. Why would you not do any work this year? Is it not healthy? Elm is nice and fast you can regrow a whole new canopy this year

 

[bonsaichile]

The tree is healthy, but I have killed a couple this year already for being too aggressive with them, so I want to take it easy. When is the best time to prune it? I pruned a smaller Jacqueline Hillier when the buds were swelling, and although it has backbudded, the new growth has been really slow. And I am afraid I killed a Chinese elm that way too: It hasn't budded after a month or so

 

[sorce]

I have killed a couple this year already for being too aggressive with them, so I want to take it easy. When is the best time to prune it? I pruned a smaller Jacqueline Hillier when the buds were swelling, and although it has backbudded, the new growth has been really slow. And I am afraid I killed a Chinese elm that way too: It hasn't budded after a month or so

I had an elm just come back to life recently.

Can you go further into when you got these...
Wintered?
Soil?
Cut times?

I only ask because bad roots, usually made worse by winter..
Is the only time an elm is going to give you much grief.

They're talking about proper cut timing jere..https://www.bonsainut.com/threads/elm-disease-identification.27873/

Even poorly timed and many cuts won't kill it.

That pondered...
I'm with Soldano.
Work it out!

If size and health is already good.
I like to set things on a path quick.
This could take a good whacking to your starting point this year soon, then Cut back in fall, and repotted in spring.

Sorce

 

[bonsaichile]

thanks for all your replies. i started slowly, because I have killed too many trees in my year learning bonsai! so I pruned one thick branch and it is sprouting again. I want to air-layer another one. is it too late in the season to airlayer it? perhaps I should just prune it? Thanks!

 

[Jordon Bigelow]

I think the summertime is usually the best time to start air layering.