Carl_Bergstrom

Looks good, Kazuki! I really like the direction that you're going, and I look forward to seeing how it looks in the spring. I think you're quite wise to choose "alternative" wiring methods with this species. Sometimes you can wire so that a tree can be displayed; sometimes you just can't. No shame in that.

I suspect that you could actually cut the tree back a bit harder than you have, though I don't know for certain, not having grown hokkaido elm myself. Perhaps Al or someone else can chime in here? If this were most other decidious trees, I'd take off a lot more of the little twiggy stuff at the ends. On the other hand, there's a lot to be said for doing exactly as you have done, watching what happens in the spring, and modifying your approach as you get more familiar with the tree's growth habits.

All the best,
Carl

__________________
In love with trees