Request for suggestions for Zelkova restyling?

Karydas

I would appreciate the group's suggestions for this Zelkova. I've had it over a year and haven't worked on it 'cause I'm not sure what to do. A very low price hooked me, but it has many problems...obviously the roots, which look like they were hacked off to get it into the (horrible!) pot, and there is some cross-over under the trunk. It lacks a strong lower branch; the first branch is too high and the angle of the trunk is awkward. I thought it might be improved by either an approach graft to add a strong primary branch, or by lowering foliage from a higher branch. As you can see from photo 3 the top was chopped at some point and a new appex formed, but it was poorly done and the tree is too high at 21". Difficult to say what the diameter is, as the trunk is strangely flat. It's over 11" around just above the roots, much more at the soil line, and it's 4" across at the front, less at the sides. At the first branch it's 3" in diameter and nearly that just below the start of the new apex. Where to begin? I have a chance (this week only) to get my hands on some potentially good stock for an approach graft, but I've never done one before and am nervous about it. Suggestions? Thank you!

Attached Images

	Zelkova1.jpg (50.7 KB, 86 views)
	Zelkova2.jpg (48.9 KB, 40 views)
	Zelkova3.jpg (53.6 KB, 44 views)

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Pamela

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BONSAI_OUTLAW

That is one ugly tree with some great potential...

I would first ground layer ths tree to get a better nebari.

If you still have to use grafts for branches and such..I would use rooted cuttings from this tree you already have verses buying more trees. I would not think this is needed on such a young tree however as they backbud well.