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The issue with this trunk is it's really too small to work into much of anything, regardless of the kink. You're thinking too small.

American elm is such a hardy tree and a fast growing, easily collected one, at that. Like bald cypress, small ones with little character in them aren't worth the effort really. You can easily get better by looking around for a larger trunk. I'd think 2 inches in diameter is minimum with such species.

Working on this one won't get you very far. Containerization slows trunk development. You will not get an appreciably larger trunk while pruning the top and roots to keep it in a container.

I would simply plant this one out and look for a larger one. I've worked American elm and collected other native elms. They are easily dug in the spring and will readily accept 95 percent root reduction and trunk chop at the same time. They come back like wildfire in a season.

27-Jun-2005	#7
rockm bonsaiTALK ArchMaster Join Date: Oct-2003 Location: Fairfax, Va Country: USA USDA Zone: 7 AHS Heat Zone: ? Posts: 4,561	The issue with this trunk is it's really too small to work into much of anything, regardless of the kink. You're thinking too small. American elm is such a hardy tree and a fast growing, easily collected one, at that. Like bald cypress, small ones with little character in them aren't worth the effort really. You can easily get better by looking around for a larger trunk. I'd think 2 inches in diameter is minimum with such species. Working on this one won't get you very far. Containerization slows trunk development. You will not get an appreciably larger trunk while pruning the top and roots to keep it in a container. I would simply plant this one out and look for a larger one. I've worked American elm and collected other native elms. They are easily dug in the spring and will readily accept 95 percent root reduction and trunk chop at the same time. They come back like wildfire in a season.