Have you used any of the other native elm species (American, slippery, cedar)? I'm not sure about the differences between them.
Most of the native elms are sub species . Or related to American elm . They do have large leaves . But with variable leaf reduction , available . Up here in the north I have in the past had a rock elm . Currently looking for another one . But there rare now in the wild . And can’t even find seeds . Rock elm is prized for its very hard lumber . As bonsai it is nice . It has a rough cork bark look to it even at a young age . The excessive hard wood can not be bent . Basically but . When young shoots can be wired and once there moved , and set they are there for life.
