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Help with Chinese Elm pruning/wiring 6 years 10 months ago #32827

  • codygiles
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Hey guys, I'm new to the forum, but I joined because I knew I could really benefit from some advice from people that know what they are doing. I bought this Chinese Elm off of Amazon (two pictures of it are attached), and I have been scouring the internet looking for the best way to train the trunk to bend. I'm not exactly sure, but is there anyway to train this trunk to bend? It's pretty straight and doesn't have that bonsai looking going for it. Do any of you guys have any suggestions on pruning/wiring that would get me on the right track for learning bonsai/training this tree? Thank you in advance for your help, I'm really looking forward to implementing any good suggestions.

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Last edit: Post by codygiles. Reason: added text to point out that I added pictures

Help with Chinese Elm pruning/wiring 6 years 10 months ago #32830

  • konlabos
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Help with Chinese Elm pruning/wiring 6 years 10 months ago #32832

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Yes I've read both of those thoroughly. I guess the thing I'm looking for is some real world help/ nudge in the right direction from people that know a bit more situationally relevant information pertaining to my particular tree that I've pictured above in the attached images.

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Help with Chinese Elm pruning/wiring 6 years 10 months ago #32833

  • leatherback
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Hm.. I would say, do not try to make a plant look like a bonsai> Make a bonsai that looks like a tree.
The bend that you are referring to is considered ugly by people growing bonsai. Look at images of bonsai around the web that do nto have an s-shaped trunk.

You cannot bend this trunk, by the way. The only way to get a few slighter bends in there, is by cutting back and then regrowing trunk sections.
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Help with Chinese Elm pruning/wiring 6 years 10 months ago #32841

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Hm.. I would say, do not try to make a plant look like a bonsai> Make a bonsai that looks like a tree.


i'm very agree...
it's difficult to bend the trunk because the trunk is big now...
maybe you try to play the branch and make a cloud foliage.
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Help with Chinese Elm pruning/wiring 6 years 10 months ago #32859

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leatherback and konlabos, thanks for the advice. I think that gives me a push in the right direction. Although I'm still scared to make cuts here and there on the tree haha.

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Help with Chinese Elm pruning/wiring 6 years 10 months ago #32861

  • Enaisio
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If you are scared to cut it may mean you are not 100 % sure that the cut is the right thing to do , so first make sure you know exactly what your doing and the fear will go away ;) I would air layer this tree , I think you could get at least another 2 trees out of it , that way you won't waste the top and it will be even less scary to cut :)
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Help with Chinese Elm pruning/wiring 6 years 10 months ago #32862

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Help with Chinese Elm pruning/wiring 6 years 10 months ago #32890

  • Auk
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leatherback and konlabos, thanks for the advice. I think that gives me a push in the right direction. Although I'm still scared to make cuts here and there on the tree haha.


Don't. This is a low quality tree with little potential. Youĺl need to grow it so it does get potential. This means growing a trunk first.
Before you make any cuts, the tree must be very healthy and vigorous. Focus on that first.
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Help with Chinese Elm pruning/wiring 6 years 10 months ago #32892

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Alright. That sounds like an idea. So just let it grow untouched and reevaluate next year?

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