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Large Bonsai question
I have seen and admired the larger Bonsai's for some time now
and would like to have at least one in my collection. Every year I go out to my Dad's ranch and get about 3 elms that the cattle beat up. I start looking now and remove them just before spring. The problem is, they are only around 1 inch in diameter at the base and I would like them to be much larger ( several inches at the base). There are bigger Yaupon's and Elm's, but their lowest branch is 1 ft or more from the ground. I don't know if I should air layer ( would be hard to keep watered) these big trees or start cutting them way back to encourage lower branches. Could I get some advise? Is there a good book on just this subject? BTW, I live in Texas and have not had any Bonsai's die on me for a few years now (collected included). Thanks Steve |
Steve: First, congratulations on your lack of tree mortality.
You're doing better than most of us! ;-) If you are in Texas, then the elms you are finding are probably Ulmus crassula (cedar elm). The leaves on these trees are rather rough, like a cat's tongue, hence the name 'crassula'. Some of my favorite bonsai are cedar elm. You can find more on this tree at http://www.bonsai-bci.com/species/cedarelm.html If you want a large trunk, you'll pretty much need to start with a large trunk. That means you'll probably be digging up a tree which is about 15 feet tall and cutting it down to 24"-36". Of course, it won't have any usable branches that low, but elms are good at backbudding and will provide you with new branches to develop in no time. Alan Walker http://bonsai-bci.com http://LCBSBonsai.org -----Original Message----- From: Steve I have seen and admired the larger Bonsai's for some time now and would like to have at least one in my collection. Every year I go out to my Dad's ranch and get about 3 elms that the cattle beat up. I start looking now and remove them just before spring. The problem is, they are only around 1 inch in diameter at the base and I would like them to be much larger ( several inches at the base). There are bigger Yaupon's and Elm's, but their lowest branch is 1 ft or more from the ground. I don't know if I should air layer ( would be hard to keep watered) these big trees or start cutting them way back to encourage lower branches. Could I get some advise? Is there a good book on just this subject? BTW, I live in Texas and have not had any Bonsai's die on me for a few years now (collected included). Thanks Steve ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Boon Manakitivipart++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
Steve: First, congratulations on your lack of tree mortality.
You're doing better than most of us! ;-) If you are in Texas, then the elms you are finding are probably Ulmus crassula (cedar elm). The leaves on these trees are rather rough, like a cat's tongue, hence the name 'crassula'. Some of my favorite bonsai are cedar elm. You can find more on this tree at http://www.bonsai-bci.com/species/cedarelm.html If you want a large trunk, you'll pretty much need to start with a large trunk. That means you'll probably be digging up a tree which is about 15 feet tall and cutting it down to 24"-36". Of course, it won't have any usable branches that low, but elms are good at backbudding and will provide you with new branches to develop in no time. Alan Walker http://bonsai-bci.com http://LCBSBonsai.org -----Original Message----- From: Steve I have seen and admired the larger Bonsai's for some time now and would like to have at least one in my collection. Every year I go out to my Dad's ranch and get about 3 elms that the cattle beat up. I start looking now and remove them just before spring. The problem is, they are only around 1 inch in diameter at the base and I would like them to be much larger ( several inches at the base). There are bigger Yaupon's and Elm's, but their lowest branch is 1 ft or more from the ground. I don't know if I should air layer ( would be hard to keep watered) these big trees or start cutting them way back to encourage lower branches. Could I get some advise? Is there a good book on just this subject? BTW, I live in Texas and have not had any Bonsai's die on me for a few years now (collected included). Thanks Steve ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Boon Manakitivipart++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
Alan Walker wrote:
snip If you want a large trunk, you'll pretty much need to start with a large trunk. That means you'll probably be digging up a tree which is about 15 feet tall and cutting it down to 24"-36". Of course, it won't have any usable branches that low, but elms are good at backbudding and will provide you with new branches to develop in no time. Alan Walker http://bonsai-bci.com http://LCBSBonsai.org Sounds like my kind of project. Go for it! Craig Cowing NY Zone 5b/6a Sunset 37 ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Boon Manakitivipart++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
Alan Walker wrote:
snip If you want a large trunk, you'll pretty much need to start with a large trunk. That means you'll probably be digging up a tree which is about 15 feet tall and cutting it down to 24"-36". Of course, it won't have any usable branches that low, but elms are good at backbudding and will provide you with new branches to develop in no time. Alan Walker http://bonsai-bci.com http://LCBSBonsai.org Sounds like my kind of project. Go for it! Craig Cowing NY Zone 5b/6a Sunset 37 ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Boon Manakitivipart++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
Alan Walker wrote:
snip If you want a large trunk, you'll pretty much need to start with a large trunk. That means you'll probably be digging up a tree which is about 15 feet tall and cutting it down to 24"-36". Of course, it won't have any usable branches that low, but elms are good at backbudding and will provide you with new branches to develop in no time. Alan Walker http://bonsai-bci.com http://LCBSBonsai.org Sounds like my kind of project. Go for it! Craig Cowing NY Zone 5b/6a Sunset 37 ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Boon Manakitivipart++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
Ok, Do you think it will work for the Yaupon's too?
Steve "Alan Walker" wrote in message news:000001c4de1f$f2337eb0$6101a8c0@Alan... Steve: First, congratulations on your lack of tree mortality. You're doing better than most of us! ;-) If you are in Texas, then the elms you are finding are probably Ulmus crassula (cedar elm). The leaves on these trees are rather rough, like a cat's tongue, hence the name 'crassula'. Some of my favorite bonsai are cedar elm. You can find more on this tree at http://www.bonsai-bci.com/species/cedarelm.html If you want a large trunk, you'll pretty much need to start with a large trunk. That means you'll probably be digging up a tree which is about 15 feet tall and cutting it down to 24"-36". Of course, it won't have any usable branches that low, but elms are good at backbudding and will provide you with new branches to develop in no time. Alan Walker http://bonsai-bci.com http://LCBSBonsai.org -----Original Message----- From: Steve I have seen and admired the larger Bonsai's for some time now and would like to have at least one in my collection. Every year I go out to my Dad's ranch and get about 3 elms that the cattle beat up. I start looking now and remove them just before spring. The problem is, they are only around 1 inch in diameter at the base and I would like them to be much larger ( several inches at the base). There are bigger Yaupon's and Elm's, but their lowest branch is 1 ft or more from the ground. I don't know if I should air layer ( would be hard to keep watered) these big trees or start cutting them way back to encourage lower branches. Could I get some advise? Is there a good book on just this subject? BTW, I live in Texas and have not had any Bonsai's die on me for a few years now (collected included). Thanks Steve ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Boon Manakitivipart++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
Ok, Do you think it will work for the Yaupon's too?
Steve "Alan Walker" wrote in message news:000001c4de1f$f2337eb0$6101a8c0@Alan... Steve: First, congratulations on your lack of tree mortality. You're doing better than most of us! ;-) If you are in Texas, then the elms you are finding are probably Ulmus crassula (cedar elm). The leaves on these trees are rather rough, like a cat's tongue, hence the name 'crassula'. Some of my favorite bonsai are cedar elm. You can find more on this tree at http://www.bonsai-bci.com/species/cedarelm.html If you want a large trunk, you'll pretty much need to start with a large trunk. That means you'll probably be digging up a tree which is about 15 feet tall and cutting it down to 24"-36". Of course, it won't have any usable branches that low, but elms are good at backbudding and will provide you with new branches to develop in no time. Alan Walker http://bonsai-bci.com http://LCBSBonsai.org -----Original Message----- From: Steve I have seen and admired the larger Bonsai's for some time now and would like to have at least one in my collection. Every year I go out to my Dad's ranch and get about 3 elms that the cattle beat up. I start looking now and remove them just before spring. The problem is, they are only around 1 inch in diameter at the base and I would like them to be much larger ( several inches at the base). There are bigger Yaupon's and Elm's, but their lowest branch is 1 ft or more from the ground. I don't know if I should air layer ( would be hard to keep watered) these big trees or start cutting them way back to encourage lower branches. Could I get some advise? Is there a good book on just this subject? BTW, I live in Texas and have not had any Bonsai's die on me for a few years now (collected included). Thanks Steve ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Boon Manakitivipart++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
Steve: You don't need to do this with yaupon holly. You can find
shorter specimens with fat trunks, because they tend to grow as a bush rather than a tree. Alan Walker http://bonsai-bci.com http://LCBSBonsai.org -----Original Message----- From: Steve Ok, Do you think it will work for the Yaupon's too? Steve "Alan Walker" wrote ... Steve: First, congratulations on your lack of tree mortality. You're doing better than most of us! ;-) If you are in Texas, then the elms you are finding are probably Ulmus crassula (cedar elm). The leaves on these trees are rather rough, like a cat's tongue, hence the name 'crassula'. Some of my favorite bonsai are cedar elm. You can find more on this tree at http://www.bonsai-bci.com/species/cedarelm.html If you want a large trunk, you'll pretty much need to start with a large trunk. That means you'll probably be digging up a tree which is about 15 feet tall and cutting it down to 24"-36". Of course, it won't have any usable branches that low, but elms are good at backbudding and will provide you with new branches to develop in no time. Alan Walker http://bonsai-bci.com http://LCBSBonsai.org -----Original Message----- From: Steve I have seen and admired the larger Bonsai's for some time now and would like to have at least one in my collection. Every year I go out to my Dad's ranch and get about 3 elms that the cattle beat up. I start looking now and remove them just before spring. The problem is, they are only around 1 inch in diameter at the base and I would like them to be much larger ( several inches at the base). There are bigger Yaupon's and Elm's, but their lowest branch is 1 ft or more from the ground. I don't know if I should air layer ( would be hard to keep watered) these big trees or start cutting them way back to encourage lower branches. Could I get some advise? Is there a good book on just this subject? BTW, I live in Texas and have not had any Bonsai's die on me for a few years now (collected included). Thanks Steve ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Boon Manakitivipart++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
Steve: You don't need to do this with yaupon holly. You can find
shorter specimens with fat trunks, because they tend to grow as a bush rather than a tree. Alan Walker http://bonsai-bci.com http://LCBSBonsai.org -----Original Message----- From: Steve Ok, Do you think it will work for the Yaupon's too? Steve "Alan Walker" wrote ... Steve: First, congratulations on your lack of tree mortality. You're doing better than most of us! ;-) If you are in Texas, then the elms you are finding are probably Ulmus crassula (cedar elm). The leaves on these trees are rather rough, like a cat's tongue, hence the name 'crassula'. Some of my favorite bonsai are cedar elm. You can find more on this tree at http://www.bonsai-bci.com/species/cedarelm.html If you want a large trunk, you'll pretty much need to start with a large trunk. That means you'll probably be digging up a tree which is about 15 feet tall and cutting it down to 24"-36". Of course, it won't have any usable branches that low, but elms are good at backbudding and will provide you with new branches to develop in no time. Alan Walker http://bonsai-bci.com http://LCBSBonsai.org -----Original Message----- From: Steve I have seen and admired the larger Bonsai's for some time now and would like to have at least one in my collection. Every year I go out to my Dad's ranch and get about 3 elms that the cattle beat up. I start looking now and remove them just before spring. The problem is, they are only around 1 inch in diameter at the base and I would like them to be much larger ( several inches at the base). There are bigger Yaupon's and Elm's, but their lowest branch is 1 ft or more from the ground. I don't know if I should air layer ( would be hard to keep watered) these big trees or start cutting them way back to encourage lower branches. Could I get some advise? Is there a good book on just this subject? BTW, I live in Texas and have not had any Bonsai's die on me for a few years now (collected included). Thanks Steve ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Boon Manakitivipart++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
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