How To Grow Chinese Elm

Camay123

Im trying to find some good reading on growing Chinese elm.

I would like to know ramification, foliage pad etc... Styling.

Any links you prefer ? or even books ?

Thanks
Patrick

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Nic

The art of bonsai design by Colin Lewis covers all sorts of stuff on english elms, but it can be applied to chinese elm as well.
It also has info on pines, junipers and larches.

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Camay123

One of my main concern right is that I have a Chinese elm, the foliage pad are somewhat alright when they have leaves on, but the branching is really all crossing each other.

Is this the way to construct nice foliage pad for elm, or should I cut all crossing branch, leaving me with an un presentable tree for now, but somewhat nicer later ?

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Germination instructions

thejimmyrigger

Go for a nicer tree down the road, trimming off the crossing branches will induce more small branches throughout the tree, fixing your problem. Remember, half the fun of decidous trees is the winter half. You don't want to look at those misplaced twigs all winter. My elm is a funky lookin mess of a thing, but that mess is mainly sacrifice branches.
jim

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Jimmyrigging is much like jerryrigging, just go a bit lighter on the duct tape and wire coat hangers, and hit said broken item more. Remember: if it isn't broke don't kick it.

Thomas_J.

The one thing about ch. elms is that they will teach you patience if you want a really good looking one. When I say patience I mean years down the road. Take this one purchased in 1996.
Didn't have much going for it then. In fact the owner didn't understand why I would even want it. He let me have it for $25.

Attached Images

vito elm before.jpg (27.4 KB, 162 views)

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Thomas J.

Thomas_J.

The way I develop my pads is to use the clip and grow method. When the tree is in leaf I merley cut off the growth that I don't want in order to keep the shape that I do want. Sort of like trimming the hedges. Doesn't sound very artistic does it? You will get some cross branching, but it should be of the fine twiggy variety. Anything really thick on the inside should be removed as soon as possible so as to start over with fine branching. Last winter was the first year that I did some really big cleaning up on this one because it really needed it. Notice how the thick branches taper into thinner ones. This is what you want.

Attached Images

vito elm 1-17(72).jpg (38.1 KB, 161 views)

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Thomas J.

Thomas_J.

Finally after eight years I think this one is just about finished.
There was a time when I got really bored with this one and almost traded it with a friend. Glad I kept my patience and held on to it.

Attached Images

vito elm 3-08(19)#1.jpg (49.8 KB, 157 views)

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Thomas J.

Thomas_J.

Or take this one also purchased in 1996 sitting in a reject pile under a table at a bonsai vendors nursery. Again, nothing much to look at.

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aaatree.jpg (28.4 KB, 152 views)

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Thomas J.

Thomas_J.

But seven years later and this is what you get. So above all be patient and you will learn what to do and what not to do with your ch. elm, and in due time you should have a great tree.

Attached Images

clip 1.jpg (33.8 KB, 151 views)

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Thomas J.