Ulmus parvafolia

[Dan W.]

I apologize if I'm hogging space here. I have just been thinking about what I said and feel that I need to debate my own point a bit as I think it is short of what it should be. And I'd like to build upon what Paul has pointed out.

On that note I would say that there are both Artists and Technicians; both can create works that are beautiful and realistic,... but I would argue that only one (usually) truly touches the soul... only one moves you.

I don't think that only one moves us. I believe one touches and moves us in the heart and the other in our head. Both are necessary. And when combined, this is the most powerful creation....both technical and artistic. Moving in all aspects.

I believe that we are individually gifted, generally in one area or the other. And we should pursue learning in both.

 

[Walter Pall]

Dan,

cool thinking. I will include this in my lectures. Thank you.

 

[Ang3lfir3]

I've been catching up on reading posts, and wanted to tell you how much I appreciate this tree.

These are the trees I most admire, ones that actually look like a tree, that things have happened to in nature. I do not understand why rules would ever make someone hesitate to see the beauty in this tree. I actually don't understand why the rules seem to stymie bonsai practice at all... But they seem to limit what people feel they can create, and I think that's where they are detrimental to bonsai as a whole. I wish that the trees could do the talking instead of a set of guidelines that were probably never meant to be so confining.

Anyway Paul, I think it's wonderful, and your pots are super nice.

glad to hear people finally getting it.... this has been what Daniel has been trying to teach people for about 50yrs now.... that's the problem with being so far ahead ... no one can hear you from where you are

@Paul -- still makes me smile every time I see it....

 

[Dan W.]

Thanks Walter! I really admire your work, and hope to make it to one of those seminars or your academy in the near future.

 

[pjkatich]

I apologize if I'm hogging space here. I have just been thinking about what I said and feel that I need to debate my own point a bit as I think it is short of what it should be. And I'd like to build upon what Paul has pointed out.

I don't think that only one moves us. I believe one touches and moves us in the heart and the other in our head. Both are necessary. And when combined, this is the most powerful creation....both technical and artistic. Moving in all aspects.

I believe that we are individually gifted, generally in one area or the other. And we should pursue learning in both.

No need for apologies Dan.

I appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts with us.

Constructive feedback and thoughtful debate are some of the best tools for improving our skills.

Without a doubt, individuals that can master both the technical and the artistic requirements of any art form are the ones that shine.

Regards,
Paul

 

[pjkatich]

glad to hear people finally getting it.... this has been what Daniel has been trying to teach people for about 50yrs now.... that's the problem with being so far ahead ... no one can hear you from where you are

@Paul -- still makes me smile every time I see it....

Dan's message has not been lost. It has just taken some time to sink in.

Thanks for your contributions to this thread.

Regards,
Paul

 

[JudyB]

And perhaps some newer ears to hear it as well...

 

[tanlu]

Paul, your tree looks completely natural and also quite unique. It has a soul of it's own. It's an elm that looks like an elm, and is probably one of the best examples of deciduous bonsai I've seen on this forum. Thank you for posting!

T

 

[tanlu]

It's funny you should mention that quote from John Naka.

It was his Bonsai Techniques I book that started me down the road with this tree.

Originally, I had intended this to be a broom style bonsai. I started it's development as described in the section that starts on page 137 - "How to create broom-shape style" and ended up with what you see in the photo.

As you know, growing bonsai from scratch is a journey and there have been many directional changes over the years.

The original broom style was changed to this more natural style about 12 years ago. Mainly because I wanted to emulate what I saw in the trees that grew locally.

Branches have died back, an apex was lost to an errant football throw, and sneaky insects on the rampage are some of the factors that have all played decision making rolls in the development of this elm.

The original front is now the back of the tree. This change was made 4 years ago.

I designed and made the pot two years ago and planted the tree in the pot last year.

This is the first time this tree has been in a bonsai pot since it was started from seed.

In regards to breaking the rules, I really did not give it much thought. I worked with what this elm and circumstances gave me. I studied the growth habits of my local trees and tried to work what I saw into the design as much as possible. Again, mother nature is the best instructor anyone can have.

I guess the bottom line is that I grow bonsai for myself. If it does not please others that's okay. If it does not follow the accepted rules, that's okay too, as long as I am happy with the results.

I appreciate you taking the time to comment and thank you for the compliment.

Regards,
Paul

I think we share the same approach to bonsai

It sounds like what happened to your tree is what happens to trees in nature, which may be the reason why your tree looks so natural and effortless. I also read a testimony from one bonsai master in Japan that the best trees are the ones that look great from every angle. I think your tree is a good example of that.

T

 

[pjkatich]

Paul, your tree looks completely natural and also quite unique. It has a soul of it's own. It's an elm that looks like an elm, and is probably one of the best examples of deciduous bonsai I've seen on this forum. Thank you for posting!

T

Your welcome T.

I appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts about this elm.

The positive feedback is very encouraging.

Regards,
Paul

 

[tanlu]

Update please

Hi Paul,

Your tree was so memorable that I have forwarded this post as an inspiration to a good friend of mine with two nice cork-bark Chinese elms in progress. I would love to see this elm in its autumn colors!

T

 

[Dan W.]

How's this one doing Paul?

 

[pjkatich]

How's this one doing Paul?

This tree is doing well Dan, thanks for asking.

It was re-potted earlier this year and shifted towards the right side of the pot. Also, based on some of the feedback I go in this thread, I took more off the bottom of the root mass to lower the tree in the pot.

Here are a few photos from January.

Before work began.



After some branch trimming and a bit of wire.



After the tree was re-potted and the guide wiring was completed.



Here is what it looked like today before the guide wiring was removed.



And how it looks without the guide wires.



Let me know if you have any questions.

Cheers,
Paul

 

[JudyB]

This is such a wonderful tree. And really nice to see the process you use.
Really great to see the uncovering of the nebari, it's looking good. The one question I have, - have you ever considered doing a bit of branch wiring as opposed to just guy wiring to give some of the straighter branches a bit of additional movement? I think that would add something to the image.
I like the new placement in the pot also.
I would like to ask your permission to put this in my picture file, thanks for sharing this.
J

 

[will0911]

i hope you dont mind me posting this tree of mine but this is how i want this tree to evolve...same sort of feel as yours...

 

[Dan W.]

Thanks for the pictures; It's looking great!

I like the new position too. -- And your method for guy wiring is great. (protects the pot and is very practical.

 

[pjkatich]

This is such a wonderful tree. And really nice to see the process you use.
Really great to see the uncovering of the nebari, it's looking good. The one question I have, - have you ever considered doing a bit of branch wiring as opposed to just guy wiring to give some of the straighter branches a bit of additional movement? I think that would add something to the image.
I like the new placement in the pot also.
I would like to ask your permission to put this in my picture file, thanks for sharing this.
J

Thanks, I appreciate the positive feedback Judy.

I do use aluminum wire on this tree occasionally. Especially when I want to get some side to side movement in a branch. If you look back at the previous set of photos you can see a few of the branches are hard wired.

However, some of the straight branches are there intentionally to provide a change of pace so to speak. Is there a particular part of the branch structure that you feel should have more movement?

You are more than welcome to include this in your picture file.

Regards,
Paul

 

[pjkatich]

i hope you dont mind me posting this tree of mine but this is how i want this tree to evolve...same sort of feel as yours...

Well, it looks like your off to a good start.

Thanks for sharing the photo with us.

Cheers,
Paul

 

[pjkatich]

Thanks for the pictures; It's looking great!

I like the new position too. -- And your method for guy wiring is great. (protects the pot and is very practical.

Your welcome Dan. I appreciate the feedback.

This method of using guide wires is something I came up with a with back.

Once a tree goes into a show pot, it becomes very difficult to us guide wires. To overcome this problem I will build a shallow box out of pressure treated lumber to set the bonsai into. I will install eyelets around the top edge of the box to use as anchor points for the guide wires.

I have found that these boxes help out with several other issues as well. For example, the heat. These boxes shield the pots from the direct rays of the sun and help keep these shallow pots cool during the day. Also, they work well for transporting the bonsai. With the addition of the handles on each end of the box, the trees can be easily and safely moved from one location to another. If you are interested I can take a few photos for you.

Cheers,
Paul

 

[october]

Really beautiful Elm. Very natural with great proportions.

Rob