This series of elms show there are cuts that need be hidden A good pair of concave cutters will allow you to sculpt the beheading wounds down.applestar wrote:More pics of the elm:
I want to carefully cut off the stub of the trunk and then maybe use a scoop chisel to gouge out which hopefully will turn into an interesting trunk scar. ...but am also thinking if left alone to deteriorate more naturally, may form an aged-looking hollowed trunk, which would be even more interesting....
Next I might chop each branch, leaving two leaves on each stump. The resulting second growth of leaves (and twigs) is probably as far as I'd take this tree this year. You could also stir in a few timed release fertilizer pellets into top of soil.
Ideally an elm grows a vase shape. You want tighter spaced, smaller leaves. Your gonna get there from here by on alternate years cutting off twigs (like you already did at my behest). On even years your going to put on your Morticia Addams, and cut off most of the surface of each leaf and the terminal leaf-branch.
Both of these steps will make over a half dozen years or so your elm to look like a poodle after a hair dryer.
Its now April 2014. April 2015 you are also going to comb out soil and chops stick (by poking) in fresh bonsai soil. Not floor sweepings and left over "dirt". But real bonsai soil. Your tree will thank me for it...