Finally, a big trident project

Dav4

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I picked this one up for not much while at the Smith Gilbert Gardens Bonsai Celebration Day this past weekend. It's 20 + years old and was ground grown for at least a decade, I'd guess. It's going to take a while but I'm looking forward to turning this one into something better then what it is right now. The pine style just doesn't work for this one, so I'm going to work toward styling it as an informal broom.
tridentstump.JPG tridentstump1.JPG
 

Eric Group

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Looks good!! The roots are better than most field grow Tridents already! Loads of potential in this one.
 

drew33998

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Its a good one dave. Still trying to see if tridents can make it here. Both of my small ones lost all their leaves fairly early, around late August. Could have been my neglect as I had them in full Florida sunshine through the summer.
 

Dav4

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Its a good one dave. Still trying to see if tridents can make it here. Both of my small ones lost all their leaves fairly early, around late August. Could have been my neglect as I had them in full Florida sunshine through the summer.
If you can grow palmatums in the SE, you can grow tridents...I'm sure they should do just fine in Jacksonville.
 

thumblessprimate1

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It's great that you've gotten a large trident now. Is there a maple out there that influences how you might style yours?
 

M. Frary

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I really wish I could grow a trident here. I like the way this one is all knobby.
 

Dav4

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I cut the heavy roots back hard and flattened the base as much as I could. Root grafting was next. I contemplated putting this one on a board and Ebiharaing the crap out of it. Maybe next year, as the bottom needs more flattening and some heavy roots need more shortening first, and I'd like the root grafts to have taken and be growing strongly.
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Dav4

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What tool are you using to flatten the bottom out?
Looks like Dave's playing 'man-game' and forearming it with knob cutters...at least it looks like it.
Close but no cigar! I purchased these root splitters years ago. Even with a large chip busted out of one of the blades, this tool does the job and is invaluable for cutting through heavy roots and splitting chunks of wood off the bottom of a stump.
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Eric Group

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Greaaaaaaaat DAY! You DID that Dave!

This thing is a porker!

What is your plan with the top? I see some buldge on the trunk, top is a bit of a mess, poor taper... What's your plan man?
 
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