Chinese elm

As some of you may recall, I'm not overly fond of Chinese elms. But everyone needs one, I was told.

This is mine after 4-5 years of nothing but clip and grow. Everyone wants to call it a twin trunk, but that first branch appears a bit too high on the trunk for that to be accurate. The surface roots are nothing to write home about, but better than they used to be. They're actually better from the back. In fact, remove the top of the tree, and the back is an acceptable front, so the jury is still out.

Current front:



Current back:



Back with the top "removed":



So, what say you?

Back is the new front!

looks like something besides the top was removed from the photos...

down on the lower part of the trunk ?

Thanks, Judy.  That's certainly under consideration.  

Snake . . . There's a long sacrifice branch down there that will not be a part of the finished product (whatever it is) so I digitally removed it.  On the "new back" I also slightly shortened the first branch/"trunk". It will need to be shortened more if I use that as the front.

Ahhhh...

"i see" said the blind man.   

i dont play w/ photoshop, but that seems like a good way to visualize things...
like some of the "virtuals" i see on here...

snakevin

I like this tree very much. I think that it would benefit a lot by bringing the foliage closer to the trunk but I think it has a lot of character and don't ever get rid of the smaller trunk/branch!

Im no expert and ive never even done an airlayer before, but I think the tree would look better if the part of trunk below the bulge was air layered off and a twin trunk/mother n daughter form was executed. I'd do that and plant it so the soil is just under the uro and also reduce the growth in the middle.

Jim,, I know i am late with my reply,, but only my opion i would take the top off like you did and keep the old front like you have it... my reason is the long branch looks better in the back of the tree to me.. know you are not fond of elms but the tree looks really good,,you know i like elms anyway.. witch ever way you go it will be nice.. take care john

Hey, that looks like a tree! I like it alot, am a fan of either "front". Am becoming more fond of clip and grow the further I get into this. This has to me a very natural feel, look forward to seeing it in the future.

I've done a bit more work on it. Mostly pruning, but one major branch in the daughter branch was wired.

This pretty much -- I think -- what will be the final shape, though it will, of course, fill out a bit, especially, I hope, in the backside.

Hi Jim

I think your tree have become a little topheavy, and could use a reduce....but what I think is more of a problem, is that the tree have moved from the talent to make a more natural styled tree, to what is being called "a another broadleafed-bonsai trained as a Juniper", most people try to avoid that.

Kind regards Yvonne

Yvonne Graubaek wrote:Hi Jim

I think your tree have become a little topheavy, and could use a reduce....

Kind regards Yvonne

Hi Jim,
I kind of agree with Yvonne.
I hope you don't mind me 'pruning' your tree.
hope this helps.
  
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I think your tree have become a little topheavy, and could use a reduce....but what I think is more of a problem, is that the tree have moved from the talent to make a more natural styled tree

Hmmm.  There's at least 20% less foliage than when I started last week.  Don't understand the "topheavy."

And I am NOT going to make an elm with a pointy top.

But thanks for the thoughts.

Hey there Jim,

I like the updated picture.  It looks like an improvement to me.  

Are you open to more virts?  I do think it is a little top heavy too, but not that much.  If you like it the way it is that's all that matters, and it's also the most important opinion!

Here's a triangle virt.  In the first I've trimmed the top some, and in the second I've add some more bulk and direction to the other branches.  Sometimes it's hard to see 100% of the branching structure, so hopefully this isn't too far off from possible.

Best Regards

TNX, evan . . . I like both, but the right-hand one the most. That was something like what I had in mind.

No problem, best of luck with this tree!