Large Trident Maple & First Post

a little more. Note the odd growth patter on the 2nd photo. It's a litttle blurry, but it looks like a "witch's broom", which I've only ever seen on Cal Juni's.

and last one set, plus a shot of the top after thinning and one from the side after thinning.

This tree does not look at all healthy. It looks almost like it's trying to throw out as many shoots as possible to keep itself alive, but has no energy to actually make any of them viable. I would maybe just leave it alone and feed it well, and cross my fingers. I might consider putting it into a humidity bag for a bit.
Maybe you should reach out to someone who might be able to help you save this tree.

JudyB said:

This tree does not look at all healthy. It looks almost like it's trying to throw out as many shoots as possible to keep itself alive, but has no energy to actually make any of them viable. I would maybe just leave it alone and feed it well, and cross my fingers. I might consider putting it into a humidity bag for a bit.
Maybe you should reach out to someone who might be able to help you save this tree.

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I agree. Looks almost like a root problem.

I am wondering what Kimura nursery does to it while being "boarded". Do they just water it? Or do other things?

I think we just had a discussion about this. See if this resonates wih you:

http://bonsainut.com/forums/showthread.php?14935-Trident-maple-with-dark-black-edges

Scott

Poink88 said:

I agree. Looks almost like a root problem.

I am wondering what Kimura nursery does to it while being "boarded". Do they just water it? Or do other things?

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I got an email about this from Andrew the other day so I decided to look into the issue.
To answer your question Dario- it depends on what the customer wants and is paying for. In this case we are simply providing a place or it to stay because the owner doesn't have a place for it and we water and fertilize along with every thing else in the nursery. In other cases we board and train or maintain. Andrew just wanted a place for his trees and to be sure they were watered. He was going to come and do whatever work on them was needed. Unfortunately like a lot of beginners he did first and asked later which sometimes can be problematic. If he had asked before the major pruning I probably would've suggested a combination of waiting until next winter for the heavy pruning and doing some thread grafts with the at the time current branches, but would've , could've and should've are moot points now.
After looking into it I can say yes you are right Dario- it is mostly a root problem that is made worse by the fact that every branch was cut back to a short stump well after the tree had leafed out. I checked the soil which seems to be just decomposed granite with a ton of fines in it. The fines are clogging the drain holes which is the cause of the root issues. If the tree was healthy to begin with cutting the branches so hard even after leafing out wouldn't have been too big an issue with a weakened root system it made the problem worse. At this point I don't give the tree more than a slight chance of living. Since I don't know when Andrew will be back to check his trees I'll clean out the clogged screen and email him to ask if I can treat for the root rot but its no guarantee the tree will survive. I don't know how bad the root rot is and without taking it out of the pot theres no telling. The tree is somewhat lose in the pot which is not a good sign for a trident that hasn't been repotted for 3 years. It should be root bound and tight in the pot. If it were mine at this point I'd unclog the holes treat for root rot.Then in Jan. I'd bare root it, cut out all rot and replant is a coarse mix and let it grow unchecked for a year. Thats if it makes it through until then. Of course offerings to the bonsai deities couldn't hurt either. Hope it makes it because it could be a good tree.

Please let us know how you make out with that tree.
I would plant it in the ground and let it be .