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Siberian Elm Trunk Chop training

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Sam Ogranaja
moyogijohn
drgonzo
Rui Marques
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Rob Kempinski
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Post  Guest Wed Aug 03, 2011 4:32 pm

Here is a material that is excellent for learning, and practicing bonsai techniques. It is invasive in my area, so it is practically free. The leaves easily reduce to a 1/4inch by constant pinching, it is a very vigourous grower... so wounds heal nicely, the bark plates similar to an old Hawthorn but at a much younger age, responds extremely well to pruning and root-pruning.

I practiced trunk chop twice from a 15 foot tree. I did it twice because when I repotted the tree (after removing the old soil), I discovered a very attractive bulge at the base. The surface roots are still very poor, so this spring I might tie a wire under the base to encourage roots fanning out.

The winter after first trunk chop. It looked like a decent tree then.
Siberian Elm Trunk Chop training Elm_2010

Here is the second trunk chop:
Siberian Elm Trunk Chop training Elm_2011

Here is some growth after the second chop. I am trying to get a basic structure before I grow a sacrifice leader.
Siberian Elm Trunk Chop training Elm_2012

And here it is now. The sacrifice leader is almost 7 feet tall.
Siberian Elm Trunk Chop training Elm_2013

The rate at which this tree grows, I think the foliage should fill in nicely by next year.

- S


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Post  Rob Kempinski Wed Aug 03, 2011 4:44 pm

Good development. Where will the next chop be? At the first branch or second?
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Post  Guest Wed Aug 03, 2011 4:56 pm

Thanks Rob. The next chop will remove the sacrifice at the point you see the small future leader growing. Ofcourse I would have to grow another sacrifice to smooth the taper along the trunk line.

I am not planning to do the next trunk chop until I get a smooth taper from the first chop. I am anticipating this to be next winter.

- S

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Post  LSBonsai Wed Aug 03, 2011 6:04 pm

suburbia wrote:Here is a material that is excellent for learning, and practicing bonsai techniques. It is invasive in my area, so it is practically free. The leaves easily reduce to a 1/4inch by constant pinching, it is a very vigourous grower... so wounds heal nicely, the bark plates similar to an old Hawthorn but at a much younger age, responds extremely well to pruning and root-pruning.

I practiced trunk chop twice from a 15 foot tree. I did it twice because when I repotted the tree (after removing the old soil), I discovered a very attractive bulge at the base. The surface roots are still very poor, so this spring I might tie a wire under the base to encourage roots fanning out.

The winter after first trunk chop. It looked like a decent tree then.
Siberian Elm Trunk Chop training Elm_2010

Here is the second trunk chop:
Siberian Elm Trunk Chop training Elm_2011

Here is some growth after the second chop. I am trying to get a basic structure before I grow a sacrifice leader.
Siberian Elm Trunk Chop training Elm_2012

And here it is now. The sacrifice leader is almost 7 feet tall.
Siberian Elm Trunk Chop training Elm_2013

The rate at which this tree grows, I think the foliage should fill in nicely by next year.

- S


I like your vision for a stout little shohin, but I hope you don't mind if I make a suggestion for future projects. When growing out a new leader after a trunk chop, I would wire it while it is still young, before it thickens considerably. It seems with your tree that you just let it grow straight up. I think the ideal movement for the new section should be somewhat forward and to the right (the tree's left). Even though you will be chopping off most of the new leader soon, you will still be left with a part that goes straight up, and may not be in agreement with the dynamic base.

Another comment is about the long-term stability of Siberian elm as bonsai. I am not sure if you are aware of this, but they have a bad reputation for dropping branches for no reason (likely due to their nature as a pioneer species). I am always interested in hearing about others' experience with the speciies, because I dug up a very old hedge of ulmus pumila last spring, and am hoping to find a way to keep some of them as bonsai over the long term (I attached a pic of one of the nicer pieces of material I got from the hedge). You made it clear that this is a practice tree for you, so I am not sure if this stability issue concerns you.

I am currently testing the idea that annual repotting may improve the stability of the species, my reasoning being that it will always keep the tree in a state of vigour. This could present problems in the long run, however, when it comes to the 'mature' stage of bonsai.

Thanks for sharing Smile

Siberian Elm Trunk Chop training Sib20110

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Post  Guest Wed Aug 03, 2011 6:24 pm

Very nice tree Khalid. I like the movement on your trunk.

Thanks for your suggestion, and I completely agree that it is easier to shape a tree when the stem is young. I actually did consider doing that earlier, but then I thought that the trunk needs to thicken a lot to smoothen the taper and that along with the new leader will create enough movement that is consistent to the whole tree.

I have also heard that Siberian Elm has a tendency to lose the lower branches... we will see how this tree reacts. Maybe if I can maintain a good flow of energy in the lower branches by pruning/pinching, I should be good. I still think that this is a good learning material before jumping onto trees like Zelkova, Hornbeam, etc. I'd rather learn from my mistakes on cheaper material than expensive.

Thanks,
- S

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Post  coh Wed Aug 03, 2011 7:08 pm

Thanks for posting these, I'm looking forward to seeing the evolution. I've got some trees that I'm planning to chop soon (probably in the spring) so it's helpful to see the process. What is the approximate trunk diameter just below that chop?

Chris
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Post  Guest Wed Aug 03, 2011 7:13 pm

The base is around 7 inches. In addition to knowing when and how to chop, I would recommend reading Brent Walston's article on Trunk Development. Some of my experiments are based off his articles.

http://www.evergreengardenworks.com/trunks.htm

- S

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Post  manosvince Wed Aug 03, 2011 11:58 pm

After the second chop, how many years did you left the tree to grow free ?
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Post  Guest Thu Aug 04, 2011 12:08 am

The second chop was done this past March 2011. Note, I did not let the tree grow free... I only let the sacrifice grow free. I still wanted to work on basic branch structure and tree shape.

Some people that I have spoken to suggest to grow the trunk first, then develop the branches. But in this project I am observing that you can do both things at the same time (provided your tree grows vigorously); this way I can save time with tree development.

- S

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Post  manosvince Thu Aug 04, 2011 9:56 am

I suggest to do these two combined Smile

And the first chop ? When did you did it ?
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Post  Guest Thu Aug 04, 2011 10:12 am

The first chop was done last year.

- S

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Post  manosvince Thu Aug 04, 2011 10:26 am

Within one year it grow up 7 feet ?? ->> https://servimg.com/view/15280121/76
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Post  Guest Thu Aug 04, 2011 1:35 pm

That is what I said. This is a very fast growing tree even for Chicago weather. Actually this summer was/is unusually hot... maybe that contributed towards the rapid growth along with heavy fertilizing, large pot and loose soil.

- S

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Post  coh Thu Aug 04, 2011 2:57 pm

suburbia wrote:The base is around 7 inches. In addition to knowing when and how to chop, I would recommend reading Brent Walston's article on Trunk Development. Some of my experiments are based off his articles.

http://www.evergreengardenworks.com/trunks.htm

- S

I assume you mean the base at soil level is 7", right? So the diameter near the chop is more like 3 - 3.5"?

Very familiar with Brents articles, I've read them several times. Not the same as actual experience, though!

Chris
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Post  Guest Thu Aug 04, 2011 10:38 pm

By 'base' I mean at the soil level. Maybe next time I will place an object close to the trunk as reference to give you an idea.

- S

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Post  Rui Marques Mon Aug 08, 2011 11:41 am

Hi,
This is a good article for the development of your elm structure.
See here: Bonsaijournal . com
Regards
Rui Marques
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Post  Guest Tue Jan 17, 2012 10:27 pm

Below is a winter update of the elm. Needless to say, I will be growing a sacrifice just above the second chop. Also, I will be focusing on ramifying the branches.

Siberian Elm Trunk Chop training Elm_2014

- S

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Post  drgonzo Tue Jan 17, 2012 11:25 pm

These pumila's have such a nasty reputation dragging along behind them, I'm hopeful and curious to track your progress, its nice material to be sure!
-Jay
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Post  moyogijohn Wed Jan 18, 2012 11:52 pm

First you have a good base to work with !! IF it had been my tree,,i would have left it with the first chop mad a tree with that...only my opion !!! it looked good to me,,,,how tall was it ??? anyway it will be a nice tree take care john

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Post  Guest Thu Jan 19, 2012 6:17 pm

Hi Jay,
I am sure as a species U. pumila have a bad reputation, and I am aware of it. So far under bonsai training, this tree hasn't given much trouble... and that is why I am hopeful too. I keep telling myself that this is just a learning material, in case it lives upto it's reputation down the line.

Hi John,
Thanks for your opinion... that is why we post, to get your opinion. I have a different vision in mind which primarily involves sumo-style taper. And that is why I did the second chop. I haven't measured the height, but it is anywhere between 13" to 17" tall.

- S

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Post  drgonzo Thu Jan 19, 2012 6:32 pm

suburbia wrote:Hi Jay,
I am sure as a species U. pumila have a bad reputation, and I am aware of it. So far under bonsai training, this tree hasn't given much trouble... and that is why I am hopeful too. I keep telling myself that this is just a learning material, in case it lives upto it's reputation down the line.

So many species have "foibles" and poor tendencies whatever they may be, that we have to either work with or against as we train trees. Knowing what they are gives use the edge in that we can pre-plan for these possibilities. In my opinion it doesn't make the species less desirable (sometimes quite the opposite at least for myself) In the case of U. pumila we can plan to build good full canopies so if we lose a branch we can compensate, keep the tree especially vigorous, and be extra vigilant for insect attack.

I have seen beautiful Siberian Elm bonsai, I'm sure this one will be among them in time!
-Jay
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Post  Sam Ogranaja Thu Jan 19, 2012 7:04 pm

drgonzo wrote:
-Jay

Jay, your avatar is awesome. Sorry I don't have any other input on this thread.

~Sam~
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Post  Guest Thu Mar 08, 2012 5:36 pm

Below is a spring update of this elm. It is potted in a Heian Kozen pot.

Siberian Elm Trunk Chop training Elm_2015

Once the foliage fills in by summer, I will try to get the below silhoutte:

Siberian Elm Trunk Chop training Elm_vi10

- S

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Post  proxyde Sun Aug 12, 2012 2:13 am

Hi, this is my first post to the forum. I'm loving the tree, suburbia! How does it look with full foliage?

I'm growing some Siberian elm seedlings for my second bonsai attempt, so I'm excited to see what you have done here.

Keep up the good work!

-Cameron

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Post  abcd Sun Aug 12, 2012 8:06 am

Hello, sorry but your tree is not a siberian elm, cf photographie off limbs :
[img]Siberian Elm Trunk Chop training Dscn1210[/img]
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