Elevate My Bonsai Elm Design

Developing the branch structure by addressing imbalances of energy distribution across the bonsai tree. If the bonsai is left to grow, the apical branches become dominant and the lower branches become weaker. It's important to distribute energy evenly through the tree to create a bonsai image that is in-scale and miniature in appearance. Horticulturally, lower branches may die if they are shaded or the upper growth becomes too strong, so selective pruning and wiring is essential.
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[@TheBonsaiZone]

Hello Darin, I'd consider repotting it on an angle so the low thick branch is more upright forming the Apex with the current leader and the thick branch, it may depend a lot on what the root system is like, but I think the thick branch would look good more vertical, it would help justify the thickness!! What a great gnarly old tree!!

[@alessandromassimo5717]

Completely agree

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

I was thinking something along those lines too, or alternatively removing it altogether.

[@DecaffeinatorZero]

I was wondering that, but also wondered if maybe it'd be too "slingshot" shaped

[@grobonsai]

I see what you mean!

[@marlabakes]

I really enjoyed this. And every time you said "Nice couple buds", I kept thinking "Aw, they're buddies"

[@grobonsai]

I love that! Just a lil pair of buddies

[@MadeManMafia]

Good call bringing the big branch back to this point. With the apex going in the same direction, using it as a secondary trunk would be too crowded. Don't agree with those saying take the big branch off - it'd lose a lot of character. That weight is interesting. The tree would look pretty average without it.

[@grobonsai]

Exactly it for me, it's unconventional so might as well maximise it's quirks

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

My instinct would be either to alter the planting angle to move the thick side branch away from being horizontal, or to reduce it back much further and hope that it will reduce in proportion to the rest of the tree over time with energy redistribution. Possibly both.
Great edit and nice rationale for the work done. 👍

[@KennetDeBondt]

Since you asked, I would remove the big branche.
Grts
Kennet

[@grobonsai]

It gives the tree a bit of spice but I get that it’s not what most would prefer

[@danieldalton8125]

Great improvement Darren. Really liked the styling just as it is.

[@grobonsai]

Thanks Daniel

[@drphilrays]

Excellent work Darren. Thanks for sharing your thought process. Here’s my 2 bits on the tree..I see 3 good tree in there, 1st is the heavy lower branch on the left. Next would be the top 1/3 of the tree. 2 simple air layering task would deliver 3 very well ramified trees in a season or two. None-the-less it a great project and will give you much joy for sure. 👍

[@grobonsai]

Nice ideas! I think if I do anything drastic it would be to make it into a raft

[@drphilrays]

Yes. That’s also a good option.

[@soberhippie]

2:57 I always try not to cut too much of my finger material in the process :)
On the one hand, I'd look into cutting this big branch off because it looks a bit too big, on the other hand, I've seen Ryan Neil from Bonsai Mirai dealing with a similar tree recently, and his reasoning was that this big branch gave that tree its unique character. Unfortunately, none of my trees is quite as developed as this one
Funny, how that branch looks thicker from one side than from the other

[@grobonsai]

Yeah it’s an unusual shape

[@DecaffeinatorZero]

I like hearing your thought process, very educational!

[@grobonsai]

Great thanks

[@johnrb9397]

Very nice upload and some excellent decisions made and explanations given. Thank you.

[@grobonsai]

Thanks 😊

[@SecwetGwiwer]

Nice! Personally (and I realise this is subjective, but) I think it looks a little heavy on the left side, I would tilt it to the right slightly when it’s repotted, just to balance the visual weight.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

This is such a unique looking tree with so many options. I like that you emphasised times when 'you don't have to make that decision yet'. So many times I had that thought in my head but instead of waiting made a pruning decision that I have looked back on and regretted. Luckily our trees always give us new opportuntiies :)

[@grobonsai]

Right!

[@DavesBonsai]

Great video Darin. It’s been a minute since I tuned in. Great tree you have there.

[@grobonsai]

Hi Dave thanks for dropping by

[@katedodd79]

You're so talented Darren, this elm looks so good, and I too think it would lose something of the character by removing that unconventional branch 😊 Amazing stuff!

[@grobonsai]

Thanks for the kind words

[@a.k.h.channel]

Amazing program bonsai thank you for sharing,good luck Mr

[@grobonsai]

Thanks

[@melhillocks8061]

I would get rid of that thick branch completeley. It is out of all proportion compared to the rest of the tree.

[@eeeealmo]

Fantastic tree. Great work

[@almac2598]

Thanks Darren. Superb tree.

[@grobonsai]

Thanks 😊

[@TOMSAI]

This is very nice Styling ! Thx for showing us .

[@grobonsai]

Thanks for watching!

[@brooklynbauer8013]

This is a great video STYLE for you Darin! I enjoyed hearing your thought process. It'll help me in the future on my trees! Keep up the good work. I'm a long time fan 😊

[@grobonsai]

Glad it was helpful!

[@matthewwood4008]

Nice work,great tree!

[@grobonsai]

Thank you very much!

[@Alfaro_Bonsai]

You did a good job👍👍🤝

[@grobonsai]

Thanks 🙏

[@bradleyc9538]

Very nice Darren! Fantastic tree, fantastic video

[@grobonsai]

Cheers Brad

[@nerinat8371]

Great looking tree, well done

[@grobonsai]

Thank you

[@keefe4484]

nice work

[@grobonsai]

Thanks

[@jyudy7dytcjux]

I'd say that the thick branch makes this tree unique. Don't cut it off to make the tree look like all the others. When you pruned it back and shortened it, it looked just right. I agree that repotting it slightly tilted will help it look balanced.

[@grobonsai]

I agree thanks

[@matshagstrom9839]

hmmm a nice tree with challenges. The trunk is awesome but the whole tree is lacking in balance. The first branch it's almost as thick as the trunk and either needs to be part of the trunk or be removed, I think. The upper one third of the main trunk is straight and does match the main trunk. It may seem a little radical but I think I would cut off the big branch and air layer the top and start from the beginning and grow all new branches. I think this tree needs really big cuts and all new branch development elms are nice and easy to work with. Let us know what you do in the future with this one.

[@grobonsai]

The uncomfortable asymmetry is absolutely intentional. To make your suggested changes would result in a more traditionally accepted bonsai image, but also more bland

[@brucedeacon28]

👍👌

[@andrewclack4881]

I have been wanting an English elm for quite a while now.