In large part, this thread is to serve as a measure of how much interest there is in the art/science of bonsai.
The tree below is a zelcova (elm family) I grew on in a raised bed (RB) devoted to potential bonsai candidates. It was chopped back at regular intervals to produce a trunk that tapers rapidly. I lifted it from the ground after about 5 years of growth, bare-rooted and root pruned to fit in a cut down (for ht) 5T nursery can. It was chopped 4 times while growing on. At one time, the tree was about 10 ft tall before its first chop.
By the next repot, I'll have reduced the size of the root mass enough to fit in an appropriate size bonsai pot.
Al
