AMERICAN ELM

[MACH5]

Update on this beautiful elm? I have just started some this year from small seedlings I've found under massive trees in my city! Very interested in this species since zelkova and Chinese elm aren't hardy in my zone

Yes will soon post an update!

More inspiring work Sergio! What a transformation even in the short period of time shown. I have several American elm and am enjoying them so far, and discovered a new collecting location for these this fall. Thank you for sharing.

Thank you. I have become very fond of elms in general. Next spring I think I am going to tilt the tree just slightly even more to emphasize the overall lean to the right while compressing the left side. Almost as if unseen forces are pushing the tree to grow towards one side.

Aside from more "classical" forms, I want to keep exploring other ways to express deciduous trees in nature. I believe there is a tremendous wealth of forms and growth habits that have yet to be expressed via the art of bonsai.

Wish you much success in your elm endeavors!

 

[MACH5]

Elm today. Further editing continues as my vision for this tree continues to progress. One branch on the lower left was removed earlier this year to further enhance the heavy right lean of the design and create a larger negative area. Little is done now to wire this tree as I would like to keep it a bit more "wild". These elms are great to work on as they respond readily and quickly! Next spring I will move towards improvement of the nebari. Eventually it will benefit from a couple of root grafts. The long root on the right will be air layered to hopefully produce roots closer to the trunk.

 

[cockroach]

Another lovely tree Serg.

If I may ask a few somewhat basic styling questions to understand how you got to this image.

1. Why have you chosen to make the longest, lowest branches hanging on the right when the tree is leaning right?
Is this to give to illusion the weight of the branches have pulled the tree in that direction?

2. In a natural setting would the left side of the tree not receive more light and therefore have stronger growth?
So, was this styling deliberately done to go against this or did you just allow the tree to grow and you styled the tree it "wanted to be"?

3. Did the large root on the right of the trunk have much bearing on your styling decisions?

4. The mesh you used to hold soil in place ( I assume), did you leave it in place and allow the moss to grow over it or remove once the soil "set"?

 

[MACH5]

All great questions Gary. Please see my responses below in red.


1. Why have you chosen to make the longest, lowest branches hanging on the right when the tree is leaning right?
Is this to give to illusion the weight of the branches have pulled the tree in that direction?

Yes, I want the tree to have a heavy lean to the right but not because the weight of its branches has pulled it into that direction, but rather it leans due to unknown forces ie. wind, nearby trees, etc. I'd love the viewer to fill in the blanks in the story.

2. In a natural setting would the left side of the tree not receive more light and therefore have stronger growth?
So, was this styling deliberately done to go against this or did you just allow the tree to grow and you styled the tree it "wanted to be"?

Not really if we are saying unknown forces are affecting its growth. Again... wind, nearby trees, manmade structure, etc. However, you would be right if the tree was growing in an open space. But then it would grow more even and upright.

3. Did the large root on the right of the trunk have much bearing on your styling decisions?

Yes! It was one element that gave me the idea of this tree growing heavily to one side. Often times, are the trees themselves that give me the ideas!

4. The mesh you used to hold soil in place ( I assume), did you leave it in place and allow the moss to grow over it or remove once the soil "set"?

It was used to keep the soil from washing away until the tree produced enough roots to hold everything together.

 

[penumbra]

What really impresses me about this tree is that it looks like an authentic large tree growing on a hilltop somewhere. It is really Wow.

 

[MACH5]

What really impresses me about this tree is that it looks like an authentic large tree growing on a hilltop somewhere. It is really Wow.

Thank you! Hopefully that's the idea

 

[Mike Westervelt]

To me it evokes the image of an understory tree at the border of coniferous forest, reaching for sunlight.

Very nice image.

 

[JudyB]

This tree has certainly come a long way from that workshop! Looking wild and wonderful.

 

[GreatLakesBrad]

Enjoying the progress on this elm. I have one flagged to collect next spring and will continue to look here for inspiration.

One question for you Sergio - is the air layering of the large root to prompt more roots closer to the trunk just a matter of wounding and letting the soil provide the moisture needed for roots to grow (+ rooting hormone, like a typical ground layer) or do you have additional techniques to encourage this to happen?

 

[MACH5]

Enjoying the progress on this elm. I have one flagged to collect next spring and will continue to look here for inspiration.

One question for you Sergio - is the air layering of the large root to prompt more roots closer to the trunk just a matter of wounding and letting the soil provide the moisture needed for roots to grow (+ rooting hormone, like a typical ground layer) or do you have additional techniques to encourage this to happen?

Yes, pretty much but two things I do. I add sphagnum moss around the top of the root where the air layer was made. Then I clip on a piece of drainage screen to help keep the moss in place and the area consistently damp.

 

[Shogun610]

Update ?

 

[MACH5]

Update ?

I air layered it last year to improve its root base. It bridged so the air layer failed. I will attempt it again in the spring. Otherwise it is doing well growing in a wooden box for now.

 

[BobbyLane]

Love the direction, Mach, could be a park/woodland tree.
Here's two similar in my park, first one is English elm, second looks very similar to yours, I think its an oak or something else

 

[MACH5]

A few things have changed on this elm as it has continued to evolve. Among other things, I combined it with yet another granite slab sourced from Frank McDermott and its planting position more angled than as previously presented.

Below the elm with a tenpai based on the famous Banksy artwork titled "Flower Thrower".

 

[Wood]

Below the elm with a tenpai based on the famous Banksy artwork titled "Flower Thrower".

Where did you get that, it is SO cool

 

[MACH5]

Where did you get that, it is SO cool

This one I got in Montreal. But I believe you can get them in many online shops as well.

 

[JudyB]

LOVE IT! Combining art with nature is so thought provoking, and bonsai is a perfect partner for that avenue.