New field grown trident

rrgg126

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Hey guys,

Just starting a journal for this new field grown trident maple. I posted the 4 views and what it looked like last growing season. Will be pruning for branch selection soon. Feel free to comment, add suggestions or just observe. Thanks for looking!

Trunk: 2.75"
Height: 18"
Age: 6 yrs
 

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JudyB

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Have you decided on a front for this tree as yet? Do you have a plan in place for where you want to take it? Nice trunk.
 

Poink88

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Pic #4 seems like the best front for me...maybe rotate a bit counter clockwise.
 

Nybonsai12

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Got a pic of the base up close? What's the nebari look like?
 

rrgg126

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Thanks for all your responses! I was unsure about my first branch (red). Im leaning more for the bottom left one and just sending out a runner to thicken. Im pretty set on the 2nd branch (red). Im just worried about the back because thats where the scar is and theres not a lot of branch growth there. I might also choose a new apex within those little guys at the top to give the trunk more movement to the right (yellow line) or should I wait for the wound from the previous trunk chop heal first? I will post a pic of the nebari asap.
 

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Seems to be a solid start 1st branch looks to be in a good position I would put some wire on it before leafout and put some interest in to it . Let the wire just start to dig in then remove it it will set the branch in 1 season and by the time yoy have your 3rd set of ramification the wire mark will be gone. I would also transplant it in to a small morter mixing tub you will get HUGE growth in 1 season and they are shallow rectangles already making it that much easier to move from them to your final pot.The 2nd branch seems to be larger than the first might just be an illusion . If you are set on that branch you will need to keep it in check while letting the 1st branch grow free untill it can surpass the 2nd one and so on up the trunk. I see good potential in this tree. As far as the apex if you are thinking of making any drastic changes now is the time . Another part of putting tree in mixing tub will allow the apex to sky rocket helping all of the wounds completly heal in just a few years. I have all of this and more cataloged on my 3 tridents . One of them started just like yours .
 

JudyB

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For me the first and second branch are too much in the same plane. You need to pick a different second branch that is a little higher. Looks like you have plenty of choices.
When you replant it, tilt the whole tree to the right, that will exaggerate the movement that you are looking for back to the left. Just my thoughts...
 

rrgg126

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All your suggestions are so helpful as this is my most expensive purchase thus far! So here's an update and I hope I didnt over do it with the pruning. I removed the really thick branches near the apex and I wired the first branch as shown in the pictures. I really want to keep the 2nd branch so I'm gonna keep pinching the buds to keep it in check.

The branch pointing to back right below the 2nd branch is bothering me and I really feel like I should remove it. The apex is also a little crazy because I'm still thinking about it.

@judy I agree with tilting it to the right so I will stick a wedge under there when I repot in march. Thank you!

pic3: 1st branch
pic4: unimpressive nebari
 

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nathanbs

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I would suggest cutting that second branch back considerably if you want to keep it as it is way to straight with zero taper. Cut it back to the point where you see lateral buds emerging closest to trunk but not closer than 1"(approx.) to the trunk. When you say you will stick a wedge under there when you repot what do you mean?
 

rrgg126

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I would suggest cutting that second branch back considerably if you want to keep it as it is way to straight with zero taper. Cut it back to the point where you see lateral buds emerging closest to trunk but not closer than 1"(approx.) to the trunk. When you say you will stick a wedge under there when you repot what do you mean?

I'm gonna put a wedge under the tree when I repot to tilt it to the right. Would this interfere with the root structure?
 

nathanbs

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I'm gonna put a wedge under the tree when I repot to tilt it to the right. Would this interfere with the root structure?

yes it will interfere. You simply need to put more soil under that area and tie your tree down securely in the the new pot
 

discusmike

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Second branch needs to go, or cut way back, nice trident.
 

HazMatt

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concave cuts?

attachment.php


so I have a question as a total noob:

The branches that where removed; is there a reason that they are left as little stubs? I thought the purpose of the 'concave cutters' was to make cuts like this as flush (or even concave) as possible so that when the tree heals and creates a callus, it is as flat as possible, thus hiding the scar.
 

rrgg126

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attachment.php


so I have a question as a total noob:

The branches that where removed; is there a reason that they are left as little stubs? I thought the purpose of the 'concave cutters' was to make cuts like this as flush (or even concave) as possible so that when the tree heals and creates a callus, it is as flat as possible, thus hiding the scar.

im a noob too but from what i know is that ideally you want to keep it as flat as possible esp if you dont want it to bud again. i personally didnt want to force it because i didnt want bigger scars. looking at previous cuts tho the tree is really good at growing over the stubs so it will eventually be ok. anybody correct me if im wrong with this.
 
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