Harry HarringtonArtist and Author, Bonsai4me · Author, Publisher, Webmaster, Bonsai Artist

Elm Bonsai Tree From An Old Stump In 4 Years

9 Jul 2022 · 2 min

Watch on YouTube

1:49

In this instructional video, Harry Harrington showcases the four‑year development of a field elm (Ulmus) bonsai that originated from an old stump collected by apprentice Sean Stolp. He demonstrates defoliating the tree to facilitate pruning and wiring, which also stimulates a fresh flush of growth. Harrington highlights the elm’s rapid branch formation and ramification, the natural hollowness of the trunk, and his carving work on the trunk and top deadwood. He explains how he uses cyanoacrylate (super glue) to attach paper‑thin deadwood features, creating realistic deadwood effects. The video concludes with a call to like and subscribe.

Chapters

This week's video features the progression of a field elm bonsai over just 4 years. Collected by apprentice Sean Stolp, I have since carved and styled the tree. This week I defoliated the leaves to allow me to prune and wire the tree and also to encourage a new flush of growth. Elm, or Ulmus, are very strong species that respond well to this treatment. As we look around the tree, it is immediately clear that growing a branch structure and ramification on elm is very fast and very easy. Although I have carved the trunk chop and the top section of the deadwood, from the back of the tree it is possible to see that the tree is also naturally hollow. The use of cyanoacrylates, or super glue as it's also known, on the wood have enabled me to create paper-thin deadwood features. If you enjoyed this video, please like and subscribe.