Seiju Elm - Double Trunk?

[n8]

This Seiju is from my ground growing project, and this one is memorable because I do not remember planting it in the field! I remember noticing the trunk a couple years ago and thinking, "This will be a good one. Where did it come from?" I have no pictures of it in the field, but it's surely from a cutting and probably planted as a whip.

Here it is in February after "harvest" and before cutback today:




After cutback:



Looking for feedback. More off the top of the trunk? Is this double trunk going to work? Remove that first right branch?

 

[Cadillactaste]

I would classify it father/son or mother/daughter... as the one is so substantial over the other. Very amazing material. First right branch. Yeah that sounds like a good direction.

 

[rockm]

I’d take off the bottom right branch. I’d also take of the very top extension on the main trunk as well. It’s too tall compress it a bit.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

I’d take off the bottom right branch. I’d also take of the very top extension on the main trunk as well. It’s too tall compress it a bit.

I agree... though I would take off both right branches. I don't see a scenario where having that right stump will do anything for the design. Cut it back to the two trunks - and work your way forward.

 

[River's Edge]

This Seiju is from my ground growing project, and this one is memorable because I do not remember planting it in the field! I remember noticing the trunk a couple years ago and thinking, "This will be a good one. Where did it come from?" I have no pictures of it in the field, but it's surely from a cutting and probably planted as a whip.

Here it is in February after "harvest" and before cutback today:

View attachment 597834 View attachment 597839


After cutback:

View attachment 597835

Looking for feedback. More off the top of the trunk? Is this double trunk going to work? Remove that first right branch?

I would be inclined to remove the lower left trunk, remove lower right branch and shorten the main trunk. Checking carefully length of similar diameter sections and introducing more taper and change of direction to the main trunk and the remaining first branch on the right. Very nice start to the base.
Not fond of the angle/direction of the main trunk in relation to the second main trunk. For that reason would go with the single trunk style.

 

[River's Edge]

Should have also mentioned I feel a smaller tree is best considered, due to cultivar. Very small leaves.

 

[Cadillactaste]

Should have also mentioned I feel a smaller tree is best considered, due to cultivar. Very small leaves.

I wish I knew the size of this one of Peter's. It appears on the larger scale. But...we know photos can be misleading.

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[BobbyLane]

Id keep both lower right branches, id probably reduce them to stubs and get taper into them. Depends on the path you want to follow I guess. If you look at naturalistic bonsai, these thick branches are generally kept.

 

[penumbra]

Lots a great ideas here. Let it grow a season and re-evaluate, but removing at least the one lower right branch and shortening the main trunk for me is a given. Let it go another season after those cuts. Don't be too hasty on deciding the tree's nature. It will reveal itself. I am a big fan of the Mother / Daughter configuration, but the angle of the smaller is opposing that of the larger. Of course this can be changed and I am pretty sure what I would do to correct it, but I would advise letting it go another season. Study some other examples of Mother / Daughter trees. The Daughter tree normally tilts slightly away from the Mother with a more or less flat top. The Mother hovers over the Daughter in a protective gesture.
Either way, its got good bones.

 

[n8]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. Will be reducing the main trunk and removing that lower right branch and then watch to see what happens.

 

[Cadillactaste]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. Will be reducing the main trunk and removing that lower right branch and then watch to see what happens.

It will be fun to develop. Enjoy the journey.

 

[BobbyLane]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. Will be reducing the main trunk and removing that lower right branch and then watch to see what happens.

Sure, but why?

 

[BobbyLane]

If I was gonna do a hard reset


But looking closer, there is scope to keep the second right branch as is. Why? Because it has movement/character and bifurcates nicely.
Why would I keep the first right branch? Because it adds power, it also bifurcates if you leave it as it is. It gives the tree some balance, its thicker than the one above it and its almost as thick as the second trunk. The branches that come off it should be trained downwards to give it a sharp change of direction.
Just my 2cents. I wont add anything more.

 

[n8]

Thanks, Bobby. I appreciate the virt (and your work in general).

No "reset" needed, really. This is raw stock that was the size of a pencil a couple years ago. This is my first shot at it. We can do a hard reset in a couple years, after I botch the job.