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Dreaded - S. In for a pennny
http://weetrees.co.uk/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=16593		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  Brendan [ 29 Jun 2017, 11:08 ]
Post subject:  Dreaded - S. In for a pennny
I have received generous gifts of bonsai trees over the years, and inevitably they have included the dreaded -S shaped Chines Elms.

In a few cases I have tried to remove the S by a chop, different growing strategies etc.

But one thing I strongly believe is that the Dreaded S actually has a place on my bench. In fact it needs to be seen in prominent position in full view of guests and family.

This is because the Dreaded S is what they think a Bonsai Tree looks like. It's Proper Bonsai.

My logic is that I need one that is a prime example of the Dreaded - S so that they know I am serious about bonsai, and the rest of my scruffy trees in development should be forgiven. Especially if one day they might too look like a Proper Bonsai.

Thus when colleagues gave me a goodbye gift of a CE-S I decided to make it a perfect CE-S.

Unfortunately I have no pics of the early tree - May 2014.

Originally it had some good branches and some bad ones. I decided that the basic premise is to keep and exploit any branches on the outside of a curve and to remove any on the inside of a curve, poking forwards, or otherwise not "proper".

A major flaw was that the first curve had a branch growing straight up that had been crudely bent 90 degrees to try and look like it grew from the outside of that first curve. It looked like a docside crane.

I took a chance and chopped it hoping to get some new buds in the right place.

Here's a pic from September 2015 showing the budding, and the scar where it was chopped off:

Image20150903_094253 by BrendanR2012, on Flickr

I selected the best bud, et it extend, and when I thought it was ready to train in the direction I wanted I.... snapped it off!

So I selected plan B and let it grow like mad while aggressively trimming away all the new growth and any larger leaves anywhere else on the tree for 2 years.

The result was that the lowest branch thickened up fabulously, although it did grow to nearly 4 foot long. When it was ready I chopped it and here's where I got to by April this year;

Image20170412_182919 by BrendanR2012, on Flickr


I am pleased to see that there is a branch starting to poke out on the lower bend, and it will get the same treatment - extend, thicken up and then develop as a new lowest branch. It will need to be really thick.

Yesterday I gave the tree a serious haircut to start the process of pushing the lowest branch. Before:

Image20170628_201528 by BrendanR2012, on Flickr

And After (note the skinny lowest branch - I'll keep you posted):

Image20170628_203544 by BrendanR2012, on Flickr



Image20170628_203556 by BrendanR2012, on Flickr
Author:  NickB [ 29 Jun 2017, 11:45 ]
Post subject:  Re: Dreaded - S. In for a pennny
Looking good, Bren. There is nothing wrong with a basic 'S-shape', its just they tend to be a bit too contorted and it can look over-contrived.

It just needs a bit more ramification on the branches and there you go.

We like Chinese Elms.
Author:  Bill [ 29 Jun 2017, 15:10 ]
Post subject:  Re: Dreaded - S. In for a pennny
agreed. too contrived, lacking in taper or having inverse taper - that second bend. this is going well though, good work.
personally i wouldn't use that new low branch in the design but you could use it as a sacrifice to try to expand the lower trunk a little. you might need 8'+ for that though ;-)
Author:  Gary Jones [ 29 Jun 2017, 19:53 ]
Post subject:  Re: Dreaded - S. In for a pennny
An s-bend can be vilified too easily IMO and ditto all the above. My first tree was an s-bend CE, I've still got it in that basic shape and it looks quite nice IMO. And almost 100% members of the public think that's what a bonsai is, and if asked will often vote it as one of their favourites amongst my trees.
Author:  luxor5 [ 29 Jun 2017, 21:36 ]
Post subject:  Re: Dreaded - S. In for a pennny
This is so strange!I have the exact same logic surrounding the keeping of one (Or in my case Three) Perfect examples of the S Elm... My question is does anybody have a mature S? I have yet to find a really nice old S Elm with the pads developed.Surely we must have once among us on here?
Author:  Glynjohnson [ 29 Jun 2017, 21:47 ]
Post subject:  Re: Dreaded - S. In for a pennny
I've got a nice old one that I love, albeit there's still a lot of work to do. I'll take a picture tomorrow
Author:  Gary Jones [ 29 Jun 2017, 22:50 ]
Post subject:  Re: Dreaded - S. In for a pennny
This is mine a month ago. Since this photo it's put out 6 inch extensions and needs pruning again. This is it's fourth year with me. FYI - it's being ground layered to create better roots / nebari.

Image

And a year after I got it - Christmas 2014

Image
Author:  NickB [ 30 Jun 2017, 08:12 ]
Post subject:  Re: Dreaded - S. In for a pennny
Bill wrote:
agreed. too contrived, lacking in taper or having inverse taper - that second bend. this is going well though, good work.
personally i wouldn't use that new low branch in the design but you could use it as a sacrifice to try to expand the lower trunk a little. you might need 8'+ for that though ;-)


Yes, I would concur.

The lowest branch is perfect for a sacrifice. I would allow 2-3 years unrestricted growth and you should see some thickening. You can be pruning the top, but leave the sacrifice untouched for the time being.
Author:  richardb [ 30 Jun 2017, 08:29 ]
Post subject:  Re: Dreaded - S. In for a pennny
I have à ce saved from death at a garden centre. Brought back to health and as usual a mess of branches. I think you have to view a lot of these ce's as basic material with a bit of girth and requiring a few years of work. They make you think about the skills you have learned.
The one I have did not have branches where I wanted ,ie outside of bend. So don't just wait for buds put in a thread graft .This will give you the branch exactly where you need it.
Author:  Glynjohnson [ 30 Jun 2017, 10:51 ]
Post subject:  Re: Dreaded - S. In for a pennny
Gary, your photos aren't showing for me, says you need to update your account for some reason

Edit - Ignore me, I have just seen a separate post about it
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