I’ve written about this Water-elm bonsai (Planera aquatica) a few times now. Ever since I collected it in 2012, I’ve been working toward a broom-form bonsai. And you can see that this year it’s reached a nice stage of ramification. I could continue pinching and pruning this tree, which would improve the ramification even more. But that would not be the best expression of this tree. If you look “inside” it, you’ll see some issues with the branching. Moreover, these issues can’t be resolved by any quick-fix. No, in order to build this bonsai the right way I’m going to have to apply some tough love – meaning tough cuts.
I’m not sure there’s anything harder for an inexperienced bonsai artist to do than this. I have literally cut away about three years’ worth of development. But at the same time, I’ve corrected some issues that are only going to get worse in the tree in the first photo. For one thing, the silhouette of the tree had already reached its finishing point. There was no further it could go without ruining the proportions of the tree. Another problem with the tree is that most of the primary and secondary branches had just grown too long. Again, the only place for the tree to grow going forward was out. Not okay.
So with today’s tough love, this tree is going to begin its next building phase in 2017. This will go very quickly, because I’ve got a large root mass with not so much demand to begin the growing season. I can grow this tree out and prune it back fairly hard about three times next year. By season’s end, the silhouette will be pretty much where it was before I massacred it. Now, another (not so hard) pruning will happen next fall, to build the next phase in 2018. But one step at a time.
I’d love to know what you think of the work I did today. Leave a comment below.
That’s a lesson I’ve learned a few times (and am still learning). Once it’s gone, it’s gone. I’ve hastily removed branches a few times only to regret it later.
On a somewhat related question, does thread grafting work well on water elm? Mine has an area that I would love to fill in with a branch but haven’t gotten anything to bud in that spot. I was thinking about letting a shoot on the back of the tree run next year to prepare a thread graft.
I’ve never thread-grafted a water-elm but it should work fine. I’d recommend using a shoot no more than about 1/16″ thick, to minimize the size of the hole that will be left once the graft is separated. That will minimize the scar area. Though I don’t know for sure, I’d bet it would take in two to three years.
Zach, What are your thoughts on the lowest branch that comes from the left leader and crosses over the right one? My inexperienced eye tells me that one needs to go and I was wondering what you thought about it. Thanks, Dan.
I have had that same thought, Dan, but I also want to avoid a boring/”same-as-all-the-others” tree and thought this might do the trick. As I’m still not sure, I figure I can always remove the branch but can’t put it back quickly (or ever) once it’s gone. Good point, though.
I like what you did. Seeing these drastic cuts should inspire me to do the same thing on trees that need ‘tough love” I’m 70, so slow and easy is an overly optimistic philosophy for me. I live in Wilmington, NC and was wondering if it is prudent to make hard cuts like that on crepe myrtles this time of the year?
Owen, I’m thinking it would be all right. They pollard crepe myrtles down here during the dormant season; this type of operation doesn’t seem to bother the species at all. If you’re worried about it, just wait till next March.
A big step forward, Zach. I can already envision a tighter silhouette for the tree. As Robert Frost once said: “Freedom lies in being bold”. This was the right decision, in my opinion. Let’s hope the tree agrees.
Thank you for all the comments. I’m looking forward to next year with this tree.
Now this was a seriously helpful post. This is exactly what I need to do to scores of trees. I always wish I had cut back a little harder but my wife kinda gets me second guessing. Thank you Zach. Btw this tree is stunning!
I love the trunk no doubt in my mind you will make it a lovely bonsai to gaze upon.