This Chinese Elm / Ulmus parvifolia was purchased as a typical *mallsai by Kerry757, (a regular at the Bonsaisite.com forums) in November 2003.

Typically, mallsai in the UK can be found in garden centres, bonsai nurseries and chain stores. Almost all originate from China and are mass produced trees, planted in very poor soil, poor quality pots and with little in the way of styling other than some trimming of the tree's silhouette.

This produces a tree that is relatively cheap to buy but also very prone to disease and often death.

Many beginners are put off bonsai after buying such a tree. The tree is positioned, fed and watered correctly but is often plagued by ill health. Often this is very off-putting experience and one that causes many potential enthusiasts to be turned off bonsai permanently.

With a few simple measures, as illustrated by Kerry's tree and the steps she has taken, mallsai can be turned into good quality, healthy bonsai.

*Mallsai is a term used by enthusiasts to describe mass produced trees typically found in malls, chain stores and garden centres around the world.

Kerry's initial aim was to address the branching pattern of the tree and its future style/form. After studying the trunkline, she decided to aim for a broom style bonsai; this would require removal of the branches indicated in the picture so that the lowest branches would start at a point 1/3 of the final height of the tree.

There were several bar branches that also needed removal (where two or more branches emanate from the same point or height on a trunk, they tend to cause an unnatural swelling over time; excess branches need to be removed leaving just one)

The tree also had very few leaves, hopefully with correct positioning, watering and feeding, the health of the tree would improve as would its vigour. With this, the tree would be capable of sustaining far more leaves.

This picture was taken just two months later!

A style and the branching has been established and Kerry has decided on a better front for the tree based on its nebari or rootspread.

Now the most aspect of this tree's revival needs to be carried out. The tree will still be growing in the thick, airless clay from a field in China. This soil maybe adequate whilst the tree was growing in a field but once in the confines of a bonsai pot, the clay becomes a solid airless mass that is very difficult for the tree to grow in.

90% of health related problems with mallsai bonsai purchased in the UK, are caused by trees trying to grow in this clay. Typically the clay will cause poor root growth and root rot, poor uptake of water and nutrients by the tree and difficulties with watering and overwatering.

The cure is simple, carefully wash all the clay off the roots and replant the tree into a good bonsai soil mix. Don't be deceived by the appearance of bonsai soil on the surface of the pot; this is simply used to cover the dreaded clay that is found beneath it! The tree can be replanted into the same pot or as Kerry has done, purchase a more appropriate and better quality bonsai pot.

*It should be noted that poor quality clay soil is a problem in the UK and parts of Europe. In other areas such as the USA, mallsai are often found to have a layer of rocks glued onto the surface of the soil! The purpose of these rocks is keep the tree, soil and rootball intact during transport.

The glued rocks impede proper watering of the tree and must be removed at the earliest opportunity.

 Kerry has repotted her bonsai into handmade, purpose built pot from Erin Pottery (at a similar price to factory made pots found in bonsai nurseries and garden centres).

She has used pure Akadama, an excellent medium for bonsai though there are other alternatives.

Kerry's Elm shows that whatever a tree's beginnings, with sound horticultural care and knowledge, a mallsai can be turned into a healthy and vigorous bonsai.