Massacre...

As I've had such great luck with killing Bonsai trees, especially Chinese Elms, in the past, I decided to be a bit more careful with the first trim. Only a few of the new-grown branches... I think I might have gotten carried away a bit...

A massacre?

Let me know if I've gone overboard on my first trim. Tree looks quite healthy... for now...

Pre-Bought...

Ok, heres the "mature" tree that I bought the other day as Aylett Nurseries just north of London (they usually have a decent selection of trees and accessories, not to mention other plants - especially orchids, which my girlfriend adores).

As you can probably see, it's giving quite nice growths already, hopefully a sign that it's a healthy tree rather than severely over-fertilised.

I've managed to kill a couple of Chinese Elms in the past, though under/over-watering and untimely re-potting, will try to follow expert advice this time around.

Before any trimming I wanted to decide on the "front view" of the tree, which of the below do you think I chose?

 
Or...

It Begins...

After many, many attempts at growing bonsai trees (and subsequent horticultural massacre) I have decided to give it a proper go.

Reading material is on order, as are plenty of seeds. A somewhat messy Chinese Elm (Ulmus parvifolia) has been purchased alongside a rather basic Bonsai Encyclopedia that I have yet to open, plus the usual trimming shears, Bonsai feed, etc...

Let's hope, for the sake of my self-esteem and the (existing and potential) tree-lives now in my hands, that I don't repeat my past mistakes.