I´ve been lured by one tree for a while now. I´m planning to recover it in next spring, but by now I´m looking for second opinions about its quality as specimen and a positive I.D., although I think it is an Elm of around 5 years old I´m not 100% sure though.
I would like to know your points of view on its trunk, branch structure, nebari, possible styling and all sort of ideas you may have about this (IMHO ) nice looking young tree. Any thoughts are really, really welcome.
I do not think it is an elm, it 'feels' wrong. Can't pin point it. Might be just the growing conditions you have in Spain that makes it look wrong for an elm. but branching seems to thick, leaves too heavy.
I would not use this as starterplant:
- Main stem very straight
- Lack of clear taper
Maybe the nebari is nice, but hidden by the soil.
I think that you could find much better plants by looking in people's gardens, and asking a little. Look for plants with a nice age (old bark, thick trunks), nice taper and decent distribution of roots around the main trunk.Maybe have a look at
points used to rate bonsai
. Keep in mind the most dificult to correct are roots & trunkline. If these are not good, it is more often than not, not worth starting work on a plant (Unless you want a 15 year challenge to correct problems).
Good starting material is half the job.
The following user(s) said Thank You: alainleon1983
Ok. That is exactly what I was looking for... A direct and honest response.
I have several questions, though...
1- By heavy leaves you mean that they are too big? An if so... Can´t their size be diminished by defoliation? In a possible future, of course...
2- Wouldn´t the trunk acquired a better taper with years to come? I can´t say anything about the nebari because I can´t see it, but I have a feeling that it might be a good one (I know this is a prove of nothing, I know )
3- Why can´t you tell if it is an elm? I mean, what is making you doubt?
4- And finally... If I manage to keep this tree alive for those 15 years you said (long, long run, I know that too) could it turn into a fine bonsai?
1- By heavy leaves you mean that they are too big? An if so... Can´t their size be diminished by defoliation? In a possible future, of course...
2- Wouldn´t the trunk acquired a better taper with years to come? I can´t say anything about the nebari because I can´t see it, but I have a feeling that it might be a good one (I know this is a prove of nothing, I know )
3- Why can´t you tell if it is an elm? I mean, what is making you doubt?
4- And finally... If I manage to keep this tree alive for those 15 years you said (long, long run, I know that too) could it turn into a fine bonsai?
1 is the reason for 3: The leaves do not look right for an elm, but that does not mean it is not an elm. I do not know elms well enough to judge whether they would grow as the plant in your pictures. And how much smaller leaves get depends on the species..
2 & 4. Taper can only com by fattening the base, so working with sacrifice branches. And of course, any flaw can be corrected. But would you not be better of finding a better tree to start with?
The following user(s) said Thank You: alainleon1983