Oak-Style Broom Elm - evolution

I've shown this before, but it's been a while so it's likely new to some folks here. This is an Ulmus parvifolia that I grew in the ground from a sapling.


My son showing off the tree's ultimate size before I chopped it (4 years in the ground)



Here's the stump 1 year after collection (poor branch selection)



Here it was 2 years later (photo by Howard Smith)
the #1 left-hand branch was a thread graft from a small back branch.



Here it was in 2009.

UPDATE:
I have since removed all of the branches down to stumps and am in the process of re-growing the primary structure. Might be hard to tell (or not), but there is very poor initial structure to the branches off of the trunk. No movement and too leggy. I'm working to recreate it in better form.

BTW, there are a few new articles (as of today) over at Bonsai Journal.com. I hope you enjoy them, too.

Awesome progression thanks for sharing .Even with the complete removal of the branches what matters you already have in trunk and nebari the rest is just minor details.

Andy that is remarkable! Beautiful creation and very believable I am sure your new reconstruction plans will yield even better results.

Thanks guys. Right now, the thing is a horrible-looking mess; with this year's shoots going for 12" to 30" in all directions. It is very hard to restrain myself from leaping upon it and taming the wild branches. They'll get theirs eventually.

Well as they say sometimes you gotta take one step back to take two forward

Nice Oak, like the nebari!

Best regards,
Yannick

Hi all, Ive been lurking for a while here gaining knowledge and inspiration from this site....This is one of the threads I have in my favourites, I really love the look of this Elm and wondered how it was doing?? I have a similar Oak style Elm ive been working on and today I decided to do a slight carve/Uro to the front of the trunk.