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Author Topic: Small elm  (Read 6360 times)

MatsuBonsai

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Small elm
« on: July 28, 2010, 10:28 AM »
This little tree was a gift a few years ago. I was told it was either 'Hokkaido' or 'Yatsubusa'. The leaves aren't nearly as congested as some 'Hokkaido' I've seen, so I tend to lean towards 'Yatsubusa'. If anyone has any thoughts please share.

The picture is from February, before it was repotted, back into the same pot.  I'm still searching for a more suitable pot for this little tree.  I'll try to get an updated photo later this week.
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shimsuki

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Re: Small elm
« Reply #1 on: July 28, 2010, 12:35 PM »
Matsu,
Nice little elm. How tall is it? It appears that it could be a mame.


Shim
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MatsuBonsai

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Re: Small elm
« Reply #2 on: July 28, 2010, 09:12 PM »
Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too wet for an updated photo tonight.  Storms rolled through and lasted a few hours.  I'll try again tomorrow for an updated photo.

Current height is around 4 1/4".
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MatsuBonsai

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Re: Small elm
« Reply #3 on: July 29, 2010, 07:33 PM »
Here's a quick and dirty picture from tonight.  You might notice the apex has been cut down some to give a better, more rounded shape.

Thoughts, comments, suggestions welcome.
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bwaynef

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Re: Small elm
« Reply #4 on: July 30, 2010, 02:36 PM »
I like the tree.  Its a little congested, but I understand the dangers in OVERsimplifying shohin as well.

Branches:
1 - lower left
2 - lower right
3 - above #1
4 - above #2

I like #1's placement.  It needs to come down at about the angle #2 is coming off the trunk.  I like #2.  3 is too close to 2.  If you take off 3, then 4 congests too much w/ 4.  if you take off 2 instead then you've got a big gap between 1 and 4.

I THINK I'd recommend taking off 3 and 4.  Then wire the branch thats coming off the front of the trunk toward the viewer and slightly left (you can see a wire going behind the branch) so that it fills the gap left by #3.  Do something similar to fill the gap left by #4.

What are your thoughts on those recommendations?
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MatsuBonsai

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Re: Small elm
« Reply #5 on: July 30, 2010, 02:43 PM »
Interesting.  Certainly a lot to think about.

I've actually thought about chopping it back to a new apex (right below the hidden wire) and starting over.  But, it (currently) has filled in so nicely I'm a little apprehensive about cutting back and starting over.  I'm doing that on so many trees already it's nice to have a "nice" tree to look at (i consider this one "nice" in person).  I'll be sure to post more photos as I chop/wire, and certainly some more this winter.

Any other thoughts?
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bonsaikc

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Re: Small elm
« Reply #6 on: August 02, 2010, 01:52 PM »
I think on a tree this size, that being a stickler for branch placement can be self-defeating. I like what you have here and it's filling in nicely. Good work so far!
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Sorce

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Re: Small elm
« Reply #7 on: March 25, 2014, 08:22 PM »
I think the branches could move a little more right off the trunk.

Up date?
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M. Frary

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Re: Small elm
« Reply #8 on: March 26, 2014, 12:45 AM »
  Doesn't look like Hokkaido to me. Nor Seiju. Their leaves are smaller than that. I'd go with yatsabusa.
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