Elm Needing Styling Direction

[IrishStew]

I bought this tree in 2019 and was told the owner thought it was 5-7 years old and that it was being styled in the broom style. It was never very broom like that I could see and I made some cuts to it over the last few years and messed it up - let's just not go there. This little guy is so hardy and really wants to be gorgeous but I don't know how to style it. I would like to work with what is here rather than radically chop it to create a formal broom style. Also, since it has such a straight trunk, I don't know which view would make the best front. There are no good roots for nebari, so when I repotted I spread them out under the soil and made sure they were covered hoping they would thicken over time.

I would like any and all advice on this one.

 

[Wulfskaar]

Welcome!

I'm growing a Chinese elm that I hope will look like yours in a few years.

Why not start by going over each branch, starting with the bottom, and removing bar branches, branches that stick straight up, branches that cross the trunk line, and trim shoots that have grown beyond the profile? I've seen a lot of people suggest that removing branches that break rules is a good way to start and simplifies your available options.

Then, find a tree you think yours could look like and study it to formulate a plan.

 

[IrishStew]

I like that idea, thank you. So many of the branches could be wired down a bit to keep the tree full and that would prevent their growing straight up. If I want to move this into a nice example of an informal broom, would wiring them be a good idea?

Also, I am not completely clear on branches that cross the trunk line. Do you see an example of that on any of my photos? Is every branch supposed to jut relatively straight out or up from the main trunk?

 

[Bonsai Nut]

removing branches that break rules is a good way to start and simplifies your available options.

Then, find a tree you think yours could look like and study it to formulate a plan.

Excellent advice... and truly what I was about to suggest myself. Right now you have a lot of tangled growth that it is making it hard to see the structure. I can't really advise anything because it is hard to see your primary branches.

Then, it sometimes helps if you look at photos of trees in nature, particularly if you are leaning in going a certain direction with your design. Find a tree that inspires you, print out a pic, and leave it on your bench to glance at as you style your tree. It doesn't have to be an exact literal representation - but just an inspiration. This can sometimes help you stay true to a vision - and prevent all your trees from looking the same. It is easy, if you style a lot of trees over the years, to style all your trees similarly. Find a picture of an old elm in nature that you think your tree could look like, and try to style your tree to make your tree "feel" the same.

 

[IrishStew]

I gave it a bit of a trim and wired some of the branches so that I could get a better view of the trunk. I found an inspirational tree and I selected a front view. What do you think?

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Not that there is anything wrong with the tree you chose for inspiration... but it is a bonsai tree styled like a bonsai tree. You would never see a tree like that in nature. People might say "it is an excellent bonsai" and they would be right. But does it really remind you of an old tree in nature? Does it "move" you? (whatever that means).

Elms have very specific growth pattern in nature - it is up, then out - like a vase. In fact, there is even a bonsai style called "elm style" that copies this growth pattern. The tree you chose looks kinda like an oak... kinda like a formal Japanese maple... or I'm not sure what. What it doesn't look like is an old tree in nature (to me).

Make your tree look like this... and I would buy it from you in a heartbeat

 

[IrishStew]

Well, that is beautiful and also touches me on my other hobby heart...Genealogy. I am going to take both of your kind advice and try to incorporate your ideas into my mini creation. Thank you both for your help.