Hi

Shared this tree before when I cut off a branch by accident, but now I am worried about losing other branches...

I am fastidious about nipping off growth in the crown, but the tree still wants to prioritise the crown and growth in lower branches getting less and less and further from the trunk, with no sign of hte back budding I need for a healthy little tree...

Worried if I cut back lower branches to where I want buds, they simply wont grow... Should I sacrifice some of the branches in the crown and then risk a really thorough prune....? Or will I kill it if not left with enough leaves..?

This plant is top dominant, and you need to keep on top of the top growth. I would not have any wire on it.

I would cut it (chop it down) to the first left branch, but even starting from scratch the graft on the trunk is not attractive.

Thanks folks, to tell the truth I thought it was a bad wiring scar that would fade with age, a graft will get worse with age... bugger... Who one earth would graft an Ulmus, they’re 10 a penny anyway!

Bought for me by my wife as I have various ‘potential’ bonsai growing in the garden. Sadly she still remembers the plant she bought me 20 years ago that died so I dont dare let this one die and have to make it the best I can.... Have taking some cuttings though for ‘son of ulmus’...

I thought also wiremark from trunk bending, but from the photos, it’s difficult.

I have an idea Ulmus Mallsai challenge

And also search on the forum : “Ulmus challenge” for our trees.
I must tell, that Clicio will win if we don’t do some magic... ..so come in, and make something unique from your tree.

*edit* Ah... you’re already in! But why you opened a new topic for the tree?

Erm, because my use of Internet forums isn’t any better than my bonsai skills...? Sorry, moved Q&A to the challenge thread...

Edit - wont do it again

LaoTzu wrote:

Erm, because my use of Internet forums isn’t any better than my bonsai skills...? Sorry, moved Q&A to the challenge thread...

Edit - wont do it again

Don’t take bad! I was just confused, and have bad name memory. It’s maybe just personal preference, but I like those long threads with every aspect of the life of a tree.