Acer grandidentatum (Uvalde Bigtooth Maple)

[SweetMamaPurrPurrz]

Hi everyone,
I am new to bonsai nut and I am seeking advice on this bigtooth maple. I am considering doing an air layer at some location/ locations on the tree to start the process. I bought the tree on 4/27/18 and up potted it. I didn’t do too much to the roots other than tease them out a bit.

Questions:
Should I wait some amount of time before doing anything? Or perhaps start now? Where might a good air layer/ trunk chop point be?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Vin]

You really should just let it grow out. It's too late for a chop as it has already leafed out and an air layer would serve no purpose.

 

[SweetMamaPurrPurrz]

You really should just let it grow out. It's too late for a chop as it has already leafed out and an air layer would serve no purpose.

Alright, will do. I'll consider doing it next year maybe.

Thanks,

 

[bonsaichile]

I think what @Vin is hinting at is, what are you trying to accomplish with an air layer?
Same with a trunk chop: What is the end size you are after? What kind of trunk (and how thick) do you need for the final design? The answers to those question can help you figure out where to chop and when to do it (in a year? Two? Three? More?)
I hope this helps

 

[SweetMamaPurrPurrz]

I think what @Vin is hinting at is, what are you trying to accomplish with an air layer?
Same with a trunk chop: What is the end size you are after? What kind of trunk (and how thick) do you need for the final design? The answers to those question can help you figure out where to chop and when to do it (in a year? Two? Three? More?)
I hope this helps

My goals with the tree,
I'd like to shorted it of course, maybe to 1-2 feet tall.
As far as the air layer I'd like to get another tree out of the deal. I was thinking it might be good to do an air layer just below the point where all the first set of branches emerge as they could feed the new trunk.

 

[Matthew House]

Curious, did u ever airlayer? Do big tooth maples airlayer?

 

[SweetMamaPurrPurrz]

I haven't air layered it yet which I think was a good thing because this summer was a little hard on the tree. We've had a good amount of rain here in Texas recently which has perked the tree back up. I think that I will attempt an air layer when temperatures get below 80 F. I would like to go below the first set of branches but I think that to be safe I will do above those just in case it isn't successful. I would rather not lose the tree. I'm not sure if this type of maple air layers well.

Any thoughts?