There are a lot of tree species that can be converted to a miniature tree. They can be made an indoor bonsai, outdoor bonsai, or both because some species can tolerate both environments. However, there are chosen tree species that are very good as a miniature tree and Chinese elm ranks one of the top picks. Bonsai Chinese elm can be a good indoor and outdoor bonsai. Most of the bonsai Chinese elm grows following the broom shape.
What is Chinese elm?
It is a native tree species from East Asia. It is popularly known as Lacebark elm. It can be an evergreen tree if is propagated indoors and it grows as a deciduous tree if it is propagated outdoors. It can keep its leaves during winter, or in some cases they can keep a lot of leaves during milder cold periods of the year.
What are the characteristics of Chinese elm that makes it a good bonsai tree?
It can be a good bonsai because it has slender trunk that are covered with an attractive bark. There are two varieties of barks that Chinese elms can have, which are rough barked varieties and smooth barked varieties. The former bark variety has dark brown color and has corky bark; while the latter bark variety have silver to grayish bark that appears no texture. But some varieties of smooth barked are capable of exfoliating their bark and exposes an inner bark that has orange or tan color.
It also have small, thick, and dark green leaves which have a shinning top. Every early autumn, they produce apetalous small flowers. During fall season, it bears a one-seeded fruit that matures.
Why is Chinese elm recommended to be propagated as a bonsai tree?
It is recommended to be propagated as a bonsai tree because you don