2 Wych Elms (ulmus glabra)

2 absolute beginners or raw material. Very glad for this new species in my collection of native trees.
They were still in nursery container, and it took 2 hours to clean out the rootball.
Put back in downsized container, for another 2 or 3 years before moving to a bonsai pot.

I specifically selected this material. It may seem a bit awkward or weird choice for some bonsai enthusiasts. Sure you will have noticed I am not aiming for a typical bonsai tree. Offcourse this year they can grow freely. More pruning will be caried out after this, I take no chances and gladly risk losing 1 year in development. As long as they gain vigour first...

Long is the road, with lots of work ahead but thats fun offcourse.

Alder update

Went looking for a better model in the tree, and I found one. Subtile changes but this is ok.
Also pruned it, to be ready for spring.
Could need a repotting, but not a must.

From now on, focus on growing more secondary branches and ramification. The tree also has a spot at one side where the bark has died off and wood is visible. I'll have to find a way to deal with that...

New 'mini' project with European Ash, Fraxinus Excelsior

Last weekend, I dug this up in a friend's garden and cut back strongly to put it back in my yard again for 1 or 2 seasons.

I hope it survives, big and many roots had to be dealt with or simply cut off entirely. I'll have to get a close eye on it to prevent drying out.

Sycamore project tree - Acer Pseudoplatanus - update

This is a real project.
Today I dug out a small Sycamore tree (acer pseudoplatanus) that I got from a seedling on nearby farmland a few years ago. It stood in the ground for 2 years now, with only 1 rough pruning a year.
I cleaned out the rootmass and replanted it in a big plastic crate. In the next few years I will grow it alternating in the ground and in a plastic crate. The idea is to focus simulatenously on good root control and trunk thickness. Surely this will end up in a rather smallsized tree.
It is not considered a perfect or even suitable tree for bonsai, but I consider it a must have in my future collection native trees. Ramification is a big challenge in this species (fast growing with long internodes in nature) and you can forget small leaf size too. But, the winter image makes up for this and that is why I still want to have one.
It stands on a lava rock on one side. The longer the training the better this composition will look.
Maybe in 3 to 5 years, pot culture can begin.

Privet (ligustrum) in Wintersilhouet

Privet, ligustrum ovalifolium

just a picture of the winter silhouet

only 2 years training (1 year pond basket, 1 year pot).
Give it another few years before it is really presentable.

I will probably repot in 2019 OR 2020 on a slab. Then I will consider creating more height difference between the two levels (upper part group and lower part group of less plants), also more spacing between the groups will add to the perception I'm aiming for. It is good to have time on your side

Malus in mid summer

Malus, quite small size.

Building it back up since drastic cut back on trunk in 2013. Could also probably benefit from one or 2 years in wooden box with good fertilising. I'll consider in early spring next year.

A 'before' picture, how the tree looked as raw material in 2012. It has an ugly airlayer wound higher up the trunk and I bought it in discount.

Winterflowering cherry

in its new pot since this spring.
picture is from late summer
every year a good bunch of lovely flowers, from early winter to early spring

one of my earlier bonsai attempts, has always been built up in pot