1st big cut!

There seems to be some reverse taper in that s curve. If it were upto me, I would chop back further leaving only the first branch on the right, and then bend it up a little to make it the new leader. And probably remove the growing tip to encourage back budding, to get newer branches
 
I think it looks better already. 🙂

Sure you will get ones who are sticklers...but, I say...that material has character. 😉 Some wouldn't own it. Others would prefer to make it a boring tree.

Myself personally would choose a tad but inverse taper for character over a boring tree on my bench any day of the week. That's...just how I roll. I am me at the end of the day. And I grow...what makes me smile.

You improved upon what it was... it has character. Good job! 😉
 
bennybonsai said:
Thanks @cadi appreciate it.

I totally agree with you, its different. I like it. I also think it's improved already. In time it will come together.

Thanks again
Click to expand...
Elm are amazing to work with. You just wait and see. How quickly it develops at that! 😉 It's why they are one of my favorites to work.
 
20250214_144314.jpg

Personally I would layer or cut at the red line and use the top as a cutting and build 2 trees from this

But it's your tree and you can take it whichever direction you choose, if you plan to keep it I would suggest carving to make some more character to the inverse section
 
Only a tiny layer on the outside is alive, once you get past that it's all heartwood and you can take as much away as you like really

Just be careful not to girdle a full ring of live tissue from the outside or that will kill above it

Take your time and look at some carved trees, we are lucky in the UK not only do we have some of the top bonsai carvers, we also have plenty of natural trees with deadwood features

Learn the textures and understand the story it tells of how it got there,

Don't just put a hole in your tree, tell us how it got there.

Honestly I was mostly meaning a slight hollow with plenty of callous, I would regularly re wound the callous to give it a more aged appearance
 
Sorry did you mean the lower section of where I've cut? Or hollow/concave the whole thing as is? What's callous? The scarring? Haha sorry! Mega question sesh
 
I wouldn't worry about carving just now. Just learn with it...as it grows. Even those who collect. Save carving for last details a majority of time. Unless they are the big guns. And yet...still wait at times.

Study carvers, and tecnical terms...one of my favorites... is a guy named Kevin Wilson. I absolutely love how that man chews wood.

Again this isn't a sprint...do your homework there. You can't undo what you chew away on your tree with. 😉

If you have Instagram... follow Kevin Wilson. The man is pure wizardry on carving.

Great advice about girdling...that said. When I began my path for the love of Cosmic design. I'll add this. I've had two big fish...tell me deciduous trees have a live vein. It made me pause...on ever doing it to my Tim Burton Acer. That is a tree that deserves respect. I even hesitate on the artful carving of my elm that is being wired for cosmic. I imagine...I'll take it slow. End game...is not a dead tree. I'll take it slow... I suggest you read up on it.

Bonsai Empire has an online class on carving. Just to name a few things one can add to the arsenal of vault of knowledge gained.
 
Okay yeah I'll leave it for a bit and as you say do my homework.

Interested to see what Cosmic design and girdling. I'll check out Kevin Wilson.

Is there a photo of your Tim Burton Acer? I've never heard of one.

Thanks again for the great advice.
 
bennybonsai said:
Okay yeah I'll leave it for a bit and as you say do my homework.

Interested to see what Cosmic design and girdling. I'll check out Kevin Wilson.

Is there a photo of your Tim Burton Acer? I've never heard of one.

Thanks again for the great advice.
Click to expand...
I absolutely am...smitten with the scarification on the trunk. Which is part of Cosmic design.
FB_IMG_1739577277688.jpg

Now my Japanese maple is just an Acer P. That said...it did gain a nickname Tim Burton Acer by the overall look of it. I've a very controversial pot...commissioned by Victor Harris of Erin Pottery made in what he calls Burtonesque style *His take. He actually told me he got cold feet to reveal it to me. 😁😎... yeah. That will happen this year that pairing. Can't wait!

But let that wound heal... if you are wanting to heal the wound. Leave carving for a project once that homework is done. Bonsai...is a hobby we strive to learn techniques and whatnot...ever improving on what we knew yesterday. You only need to compete with who you were yesterday. Your tree shows... you've stepped away from the starting line. Congrats on that step. Keep, keep on. And Enjoy your journey.
FB_IMG_1739062634595.jpgFB_IMG_1739062637624.jpgFB_IMG_1736958037160.jpgFB_IMG_1736958000429.jpg
 
bennybonsai said:
Should I be pruning, wiring the material that's left? Or just leave it for now
Click to expand...
Leave the remaining material for now. The existing foliage and new buds that break will aid in healing the cut you just made faster. RTeducing the tree further will just slow it down.
 
Cadillactaste said:
I absolutely am...smitten with the scarification on the trunk. Which is part of Cosmic design.
View attachment 583505

Now my Japanese maple is just an Acer P. That said...it did gain a nickname Tim Burton Acer by the overall look of it. I've a very controversial pot...commissioned by Victor Harris of Erin Pottery made in what he calls Burtonesque style *His take. He actually told me he got cold feet to reveal it to me. 😁😎... yeah. That will happen this year that pairing. Can't wait!

But let that wound heal... if you are wanting to heal the wound. Leave carving for a project once that homework is done. Bonsai...is a hobby we strive to learn techniques and whatnot...ever improving on what we knew yesterday. You only need to compete with who you were yesterday. Your tree shows... you've stepped away from the starting line. Congrats on that step. Keep, keep on. And Enjoy your journey.
View attachment 583506View attachment 583507View attachment 583508View attachment 583509
Click to expand...
Just had to chip in this photo from Part One Kokufu this past week. @Caddilactaste seems you might appreciate this tree.IMG_4033.jpeg
 
River's Edge said:
Just had to chip in this photo from Part One Kokufu this past week. @Caddilactaste seems you might appreciate this tree.View attachment 583510
Click to expand...
🥰🥰🥰 Thank ya kindly Frank! That put a smile on my face. I'm really down sick right now with my lungs. So appreciated your thinking of me. Finally drug myself to Stat Care today... steroid shot, breathing treatment... antibiotics, steroid taper...and cough meds with of all things. She said...a steroid as well. So I should be on the mend real soon. Need to be with repotting season about on it. 🙂
 
Cadillactaste said:
🥰🥰🥰 Thank ya kindly Frank! That put a smile on my face. I'm really down sick right now with my lungs. So appreciated your thinking of me. Finally drug myself to Stat Care today... steroid shot, breathing treatment... antibiotics, steroid taper...and cough meds with of all things. She said...a steroid as well. So I should be on the mend real soon. Need to be with repotting season about on it. 🙂
Click to expand...
Not to hijack the thread. but one for you to consider, has a little bit of everything the rules discourage, yet displayed in Kokufu.IMG_4118.jpeg
 
River's Edge said:
Not to hijack the thread. but one for you to consider, has a little bit of everything the rules discourage, yet displayed in Kokufu.View attachment 583516
Click to expand...
Frank... I must be weak. That brought a huge smile...and damp eyes. Yes... goes to show, merit doesn't bend to all the rules. Sometimes... (((gasp))) they can be broken. Loved the share! I'm more about presence and character ... end of the day. I only need to please myself. Hats off to ya. For sharing this one. Literally ... made...my...night! 😁
 
Cadillactaste said:
I absolutely am...smitten with the scarification on the trunk. Which is part of Cosmic design.
View attachment 583505

Now my Japanese maple is just an Acer P. That said...it did gain a nickname Tim Burton Acer by the overall look of it. I've a very controversial pot...commissioned by Victor Harris of Erin Pottery made in what he calls Burtonesque style *His take. He actually told me he got cold feet to reveal it to me. 😁😎... yeah. That will happen this year that pairing. Can't wait!

But let that wound heal... if you are wanting to heal the wound. Leave carving for a project once that homework is done. Bonsai...is a hobby we strive to learn techniques and whatnot...ever improving on what we knew yesterday. You only need to compete with who you were yesterday. Your tree shows... you've stepped away from the starting line. Congrats on that step. Keep, keep on. And Enjoy your journey.
View attachment 583506View attachment 583507View attachment 583508View attachment 583509
Click to expand...
WOW! I've never seen anything like that Cosmic style before! Very interesting. I love your JM almost has a sinister but beautiful look at the same time.

Yes I have stepped away from the starting line 😄 love it.

Thanks for sharing @Cadillactaste
 
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