Winter Chinese Elms

Thomas_J.

Most of you have probably seen this ch. elm in my gallery when it's in full leaf. After eight years it finally lost all its leaves for the winter. I'm glad because it gave me an opportunity to cut back on the crown somewhat. Well quite a bit actually.

Attached Images

b ok 12-31#5(98).jpg (45.9 KB, 167 views)

__________________
Thomas J.

Advertisement

Thomas_J.

Here's one with different lighting.

Attached Images

b ok 12-26#8(23).jpg (41.5 KB, 167 views)

__________________
Thomas J.

Thomas_J.

This ch. elm was purchased the same day as the other one, the only difference was that this was a $25 reject. The person I bought it from was surprised that I was even interested in it. And here it is after almost eight years. I've never done any work on thinning out the branches until yesterday

Attached Images

vito elm1-05#1(34).jpg (47.0 KB, 163 views)

__________________
Thomas J.

Thomas_J.

A view looking down from the top.

Attached Images

vito elm 1-05#2(44).jpg (41.1 KB, 154 views)

__________________
Thomas J.

Thomas_J.

In case anyone's interested, this is what it loked like at purchase.

Attached Images

vito elm before.jpg (27.4 KB, 155 views)

__________________
Thomas J.

bonsaial1

Thomas, these are some awesome elms. The ramification is stunning. The transformation from the last shot to the finished product is a testimant to your diligence at pinching.

One thing though, Could you please explain the long branch crossing the trunk in the first tree? That branch seems out of place some how? I'm sure there must be some explanation!

Thanks, Al

__________________
Real men don't wear coats with "happi" in the title.

Thomas_J.

Hi Al,
Glad you like my elms. By the way, the second one is about two inches out from being a shohin, coming in at around 10 inches(darn)

As to your question about the branch crossing over the trunk, I've had many people ask the same thing. Some liked it, others like yourself, couldn't see the reason for it. This is one of those situations where the tree actually got away from me on the upper part, and it's my attempt to not make it look so top heavy by bringing some foliage down to the middle and lower part of the trunk. You can see what I mean if you go to page two of my gallery to see it in leaf, or you can go to this link and see it it in five years development.
Link
I would really like to do away with this branch, but a lot of the crown has thick branch structure which would need to be pruned back so as not to look too top heavy. What I will end up with is a lot of thick stub ended branches that will take years to close if they ever do. Ch. elms are good for not closing their wounds all the way. It's something I'm still considering though.

__________________
Thomas J.

gilbycantu

Awesome progress Thomas! It sure is a great example of what pinching can do over time.

__________________
Gilbert Cantu

Time heals all wounds, unless you pick at them.
--Shawn Alexander

DavidN

WOW. Great elms.

__________________
Bonsai Northwest Inc, Melbourne, Australia

Bonsai Flora Nursery in Yarraville, Melbourne