Elm - What Can I Do?

jimmygreen

this elm was bought for me as a gift. the person bought it because of its interesting shape but i'm unsure of what more i can do to it. The trunk is solid and i could see no way of reshaping it. The branches are pretty stiff too, but even if i could move them with wire, there would be almost nothing to wrap the wire around because the branches are so short. any ideas anyone? the overall shape kind of bugs me and i was wondering if there was some way of making it look like a particular style. i think if i could pull off a semi-cascade, that would be good, but i don't see how i could... oi.

lemme know what you think:

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jimmygreen

there is also ssome serious scarring on the base of the trunk that was buried when my friend bought the tree. i'll probably cover it when it's in a nicer pot...

here is a shot from behind.

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Treebeard

Jimmy, there looks to be a nice little shohin just waiting to be air-layered off, third branch up I think .

Regards,

TB

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Treebeard

Here is where I mean. If you can get the layer low enough on the branch you're OK.

If I'm seeing right, there is the chance for a bonsaial1 trademark ziggy-zaggy informal here...

Regards,

TB

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__________________
"Do not be hasty, that is my motto"
-JRR Tolkien, The Two Towers.
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DavidN

I like movement in trunks but this is just terrible for my eyes. I like TBs idea of airlayering off that branch and maybe even a couple of the other ones and make them shohins too. That curve is just not attractive at all, especially as an upright tree. Maybe if it was tilted over as a wierd looking semi cascade.

David

KZitzewitz

With this one, that bend is kind of harsh, not to sound mean, just my opinion. Is what I would do is this, in my picture I have darkenend what I feel needs to go, whether it is via a layer to keep the rest of the tree or not, I feel that part needs to go. Then I would till approx 20 degrees CCW and use that for a informal upright trunk.... Use the lower branches to continue trunk growth, and the second is now the new leader...
or you can keep it striaght and redirect...

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elmtest02.jpg (25.5 KB, 218 views)

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Frank Kelly

whoever originally trained the tree has obviously never seen a real one. I'd cut it at the first branch and start again from there

jimmygreen

thanks to everyone for your input. i agree with all of you that the curves are unappealing, which is probably the main reason I brought it here to show you.
Treebeard: I'll have to read up a bit more on air layering. I've read a bit already but I don't really "get it."

KZitzewitz: The idea you suggested was also what I was thinking I might do... Just get rid of the ugly curve altogether. The tree is in poor condition as it is, so I might wait for it to cheer up before I chop it in two.

jimmygreen

if i cut at the third branch, do you think there's a possibility for a windswept style? i'm not too sure it would work.. just want another opinion...