my tree ( assistance needed with Chinese Elm)

[bobby50]

HI all,
I am new to bonsai. I have a few pics of my bonsai. I think it is maybe a chinese elm? Maybe not. Is this an outdoor tree or an indoor one. Does it look like it is supposed to?[url=https://img69.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bonsai001nw1.jpg][img]https://img69.imageshack.us/img69/1195/bonsai001nw1.th.jpg[/img][/url][url=https://img232.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bonsai005mb2.jpg][img]https://img232.imageshack.us/img232/4745/bonsai005mb2.th.jpg[/img][/url]
I have also, in pots outdoors, an Oak and a Beech which I have chopped the top off ans am awaiting side shoots. When do I trim the roots and start to put into smaller pots.

[ynot]

HI all,
I am new to bonsai.

Welcome

I have a few pics of my bonsai. I think it is maybe a chinese elm? Maybe not.

I think so to.

Is this an outdoor tree or an indoor one.

Some would say both are possible This would be an excellent tree for outdoors in your clime IMO [And I do think the care would be easier and the tree happier/healthier also.]See here: https://www.bonsai4me.com/SpeciesGuide/Ulmus.html

Does it look like it is supposed
to?

I honestly have no idea how to answer such a subjective question.

Does it look how you want it to look is the question... What is it you want to know about how it looks? Where do you want to take it from here?

I have also, in pots outdoors, an Oak and a Beech which I have chopped the top off ans am awaiting side shoots. When do I trim the roots and start to put into smaller pots.

Pictures please

Well, It is entirely the wrong season to be considering that IMO and I think considering you chopped them [How recently?] it may be best to wait until you have the growth you require subsequent to the chops before you go restricting them in a small pot.... Neither being a quick grower I presume it will be several seasons before you get the gains you are looking for.

ynot

[Gnome]

Bobby,

I see that you got yourself a tree to work with, and a pretty nice one at that. I also agree that it is a Chinese Elm.

Does it look like it is supposed to?

No, you have acquired a blank canvas now it is up to you to refine it. As I mentioned in your previous thread purchasing a more mature tree allows you to begin doing bonsai in a much shorter time frame.

Your tree has girth, taper and movement, excellent choice. I can't see the apex but I'm sure you can work with this material. One downside to this planting is the in-curve of that pot. I suspect that you will have a devil of a time extracting it, you may even end up breaking the pot. I suggest you have another pot on hand when you re-pot next spring or whenever.

With this tree you can prune it down to a bare stump and it will recover nicely. This will allow you to regrow all the branches, if you need to. I'm not saying that you should or need to but that you can be aggressive with the pruning of this species. Look [url=https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3544]here[/url] to see what I have done with mine. Not that it is a fine tree by any means but it shows what can be done.

For the remainder of this season concentrate on learning to manage it properly and ensuring it's health and vigor. Begin a fertilization program and don't prune it until you have a plan. Unrestricted growth fuels the tree and there is no point pruning blindly.

If by chance you are going to prune it severely next spring it will need all of it's reserves to recover. If on the other hand you see a path now some selective pruning will start you on your way. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Norm

[bobby50]

Thanks for the feedback. I have taken it all on board. I am sure I will be back with more questions lol.

[tommywing]

Gnome,

your link there doesn't seem to work, I'm interested in what you have done with your elm as I just bought one myself.

Thanks

Tommywing

[ynot]

Gnome,

your link there doesn't seem to work, I'm interested in what you have done with your elm as I just bought one myself.

Thanks

Tommywing

....Hmm,

I worked for me [?]

Here is another link to the same page he linked to:
https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3544

Maybe this one will get you there. (If not then go the bonsai gallery forum and look for his Chinese Elm.)

Hope this helps,

ynot

[Gnome]

tommywing,

Gnome,

your link there doesn't seem to work, I'm interested in what you have done with your elm as I just bought one myself.

I just double checked it and it works fine for me. At any rate, if you go up one level in this forum (click the "Garden Forum Forum Index" link in blue near the top of the page) and then navigate to the Bonsai Gallery you will locate the thread. I only have two threads there one concerning a Zelkova and the other the Elm I mentioned.

Norm

[tommywing]

For some reason that worked fine, how bizarre.

Very interesting read. I'll post a pic of my elm soon, I have done some basic pruning but would like to get some advice.

Obviously I won't just jack Bobby's thread!

Cheers