Chinese Elm Broom Styling Advice

[canadianlights]

Hello everyone.

I have had this Chinese elm for a while and it has grown quite leggy lately. The crown of the tree is extremely messy, and there are a bunch of crossing branches. I'm thinking of pruning to divisions of two and trimming all crossing branches. However, I'm unsure of whether to just do a big chop. I know the Bonsai Nut forum has a wealth of wisdom on what direction a tree would be best. I’m hoping to go for a broom style tree.


There is also this ugly section of root prune that has been present since I got it. What would be the best way to develop a better radial root system and what should I do about the root pruning site?

I know it is best just to do one set of tree work at a time, so I'm planning on developing the branch system before working on the roots.


Pictures are attached and thanks for your help!

 

[Shibui]

Hard for me to get real appreciation for the origin and direction of all the branches from the photos.
Big chop would be a last resort. First try thinning out the existing twigs. The 2x2 pruning will be a good place to start and should remove quite a bit of the congestion. After that selectively remove or wire more branches that are going against the flow. Branch flow should be mostly up and out but you also need some to go up and in to fill the centre of the canopy.

Easiest fix for the roots is probably ground layer but it is possible to root prune Chinese elm roots really harshly. Depending what you find it may be possible to selectively prune and move roots to give a better nebari. Sometimes just taking off the larger, higher offending root, especially if there are better ones just under or beside.

 

[canadianlights]

Thanks for your advice! I really appreciate it

Hard for me to get real appreciation for the origin and direction of all the branches from the photos.

Here are some photos to help make it a little bit more clear. Most of the congestion stems from one of the branches that stem off the "Y" section of the tree. I really don't know how to go about pruning something like this since there are about 6 different branches stemming from it.


Direction as of what to chop off would be fantastic for a newbie like me! Here is the other half of the "Y" section. Not nearly as bad but still unsure of where to go.



Thank you for all the advice so far!

 

[MrWunderful]

People will generally ground layer something first, so the roots develop while developing the branches/ramification. Instead of building branches, then starting roots from scratch.

If you cant figure out what branches to cut, start at the lowest fork and thin each junction to 2 shoots. Choose the shoots with the shortest internodes. Work your way out to the tips.

There is more nuance than that, but it will get you started.

 

[canadianlights]

I do think a ground layer would ultimately benefit the tree. Looking at the root system it has now, it seems to be growing downwards so far. As for ground layering, what would be the best way to develop a good nebari? There are a few different methods, such as the tourniquet or cutting a ring around the bark, but how do I get good radial roots from those methods?

If you cant figure out what branches to cut, start at the lowest fork and thin each junction to 2 shoots. Choose the shoots with the shortest internodes. Work your way out to the tips.

What would I do for something like I put in the picture where there are 6 shoots coming out of the one branch? I have an idea of what branches to keep but how do I go about cutting the remaining 4 off?

 

[Shibui]

but how do I go about cutting the remaining 4 off?

Get something sharp and cut them.

 

[Stormwater]

What did you end up doing with this tree?