Ulmus parvifolia
Published by Daniel Mosquin on April 22, 2011
Family / Families: Ulmaceae
Scientific Name(s): Ulmus parvifolia Jacq.
Institution(s): Bonsai Collection, US National Arboretum
Location(s): Washington, DC, USA
Entry Author(s): Daniel Mosquin
Copyright Holder(s): Drew Avery@Flickr
Image Permissions: Please contact the copyright holder for permission to use.
Photographer(s) Appreciation: Thanks to Drew Avery@Flickr for sharing today's image of an elm bonsai. Much appreciated, Drew!
Tags: Rosales, Ulmaceae, US National Arboretum, via Flickr
A bonsai Ulmus parvifolia
This Chinese elm is over 50 years old; Drew (the photographer) notes its training date was in 1956.
A few of the reasons Chinese elm works well as a subject for bonsai are: relatively small leaves proportionate to the artificially dwarfed plant, durability (to the point of being invasive, if not weedy in some parts of North America), and tolerance of pruning.
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although beautiful, bonsai always give me a bad feeling, of vegetable torture. i know we eat vegetables, we clip and prune, etc _ but even so …
Courage! – suddenly the computer will have an epiphany and all will be well. Meanwhile, I’m sure everyone is sending you strength to deal with the situation.
I will wait as long as needed for your beautiful, inspirational and educational posts. Thank you for caring for us all in the lovely way.
On the bonsai- Lovely! I am trying this with a couple of little Juniperus virginiana and guarantee it is much less painful to them than being mowed over in the lawn, as they had been for 3 years.
…”is that to much to ask.?” as I sit talking to to a inanimate piece of machinery, I’m suprised men in white coats haven’t taken me away..
Beautiful bonsai! I admire those with the patience for bonsai…I’m afraid I’d snip and fiddle with the poor tree until it was just a twig…
I worry not if email isn’t timely. In fact I get it on time if I’m not mistaken. 🙂
This type of artistic endeavors fascinates me. I would have no eye for pruning. That’s one reason I have no roses.
i do like these little tresures the forests
are a favorite not to grow but to admire
the abortoriums that collect and save and display
are doing a fine service some of the oldest trees
may no longer be growing and in these modern days
the loss of trees will make what is grown and saved
is even more important to planet earth and all of us
happy easter and passover to you all
I think bonsai is a work of art just like any other. If someone can do something good with a Chinese elm, I say, go for it.
Also, thanks Daniel for all the hard work you put into this. Like others, I am so grateful and hope things will smooth out soon. This is my very favorite email to get ..no matter when you send it.
I sometimes feel sad if my BPotD isn’t there when I open my emails, but then I think of all the work that goes into giving me such interest and pleasure, and I am in awe of you all.
Incidentally Bonnie, I have roses that I use the hedge clippers on, definitely no none zero science to it, and they reward me with year after year of colour and perfume. Just choose your roses carefully!
As to cruelty to plants, I had a potted conifer that had been a christmas tree for a couple of years. Then it sat outside getting sadder and sadder, until I gave it to a friend who does Bonsai (I thought it was dead …). He has transformed its whole life! And it is now a very happy tree indeed, so there can always be an upside.
the bark layer of U. parvifolia forms ‘beauty marks’ at a young age, a couple are obvious here in the beautiful lacy bark of this specimen – perhaps another good reason to mini-garden with these. Quin
This beautiful elm is only one of many spectacular bonsai trees and shrubs at the US National Arboretum. It’s a bit off the tourist routes in Washington, but well worth the trip.
For those visiting Boston, Mass., the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University houses the Larz Anderson Bonsai Collection that includes a Hinoki cypress said to have been started in 1737. The collection was assembled by Anderson while serving as ambassador to Japan in 1913.
I wax and wane in my enthusiasm for bonsai,
but I wax bigtime for this one. Wow!
An aged Bonsai is more than just a beautifully shaped tree in a tiny pot. This graceful Ulmus parvifolia represents an ongoing social contract. The tree gives grace and proportion to a small courtyard, and in turn is cared for meticulously, with a promise that generations of people will continue to give it water and respect.
Does a tree clinging to a cliff above the ocean blame the wind for its bent form?