Ulmus parvifolia (Chinese Elm) showing early buds

I have had these Elms for a few years now. They were probably bought from China, abused with rusty wire and poor soil, i felt bad for these specimens and my goal was to bring out their full potential. Typical bonsai enthusiasts would look down upon mass produced, cloned, and shipped trees like these but i can care less. These trees bring me happiness and joy when i see their features and future potential features. My #1 goal at the moment is to produce lower branches  with either healthy back budding or string grafting.

This tree was pretty much like yours when I bought it back in1999, but a few years work and I got what I was looking for, a style I know too many people don't care for but as you say It was what I liked. I sold the tree a few years ago.

Beware:

"The early bud catches the worm"...

chriscruz1010 wrote:These trees bring me happiness and joy...

and that is all that matters.

Chris,

might I suggest very gently, perhaps a year or two, of ground growing and that would give the vigor
for the lower branches.

Thomas,

it only becomes an issue when you publicly exhibit and ask for opinions.

Laters.
Khaimraj