Acer Rubrum (Red Maple) #1progression Quebec

[ChrisKussun]

I have just started collecting for bonsai and this is my first tree!

Collected before budburst around early April, chopped about 4 Feet off leaving 12 inches in trunk height

Sadly, no pictures of rootball neither prior to potting….

It has been 1 month since collection and the little guy is doing great!

I don’t plan on doing much except maybe cutting back the big branch to make winter storage easier probably do that in late fall?

Pics 1 and 2 are of the tree and pic 3 is of backbudding noticed this week


A few precise questions I had were

-do I fertilize now and if so am I right to fertilize with more nitrogen based fertilizer?

-is it safe to cut the big branch back to maybe this big branch’s first upright branch close to the trunk itself? Is it safe doing it this year since tree is doing well?

Thanks in advance for any thoughts, ideas, or answers!

 

[ChrisKussun]

I will probably be experimenting with many maples in the future as it is our national tree and find thel ranging from yellow to orange and crimson red

 

[Darth Masiah]

you can wait to fertilize till after the first flush of growth has pushed out and the leaves have hardened off. i would wait till next year to do any more chops. i try not to do anything to disturb the new roots growing out.

 

[ChrisKussun]

you can wait to fertilize till after the first flush of growth has pushed out and the leaves have hardened off. i would wait till next year to do any more chops. i try not to do anything to disturb the new roots growing out.

Is this implying that any hard pruning will put unwanted stress on the new roots?

Thanks I will be following the advice!

 

[Darth Masiah]

Is this implying that any hard pruning will put unwanted stress on the new roots?

no, just nudging, etc, of the tree might break roots.

 

[ChrisKussun]

Alright I will watch out to indeed not disturb the tree!

I was also wondering, What areas or terrain type is best to find maples that have radial roots? Most I have seen seem to have long taproots but maybe I am too much in a rocky area?

 

[ChrisKussun]

Anyone have an idea what is causing the black trunk?

I had noticed earlier about the black trunk and thought this was because that part of the tree was underground when I dug it up

Also, noticed some new red dots that might become branches in nice spots!

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Typically radial roots are the result of several series of repots and associated root work or propagated material.

I wouldnt do anything to this tree for the rest of the year. Collected material needs time to recover and build strength. Maples tend to be quick to recover so should be ready for some styling work next year.

For my maples I usually repot every other year while they are young. Older/trees with mostly radial and fine root systems I will let go an extra year sometimes if drainage isnt a problem.

I fertilize after the first two new internodes have formed with organic slow release fertilizer and then a second application in august. acer rubrum are verrry strong growers so you have to be careful of the long internodes.

Check out ABCarve's rubrum. Lots of good info in this thread for you:

Thread '32 year old Acer Rubrum' https://www.bonsainut.com/threads/32-year-old-acer-rubrum.42520/

 

[ChrisKussun]

Thanks for the info

Typically radial roots are the result of several series of repots and associated root work or propagated material.

I wouldnt do anything to this tree for the rest of the year. Collected material needs time to recover and build strength. Maples tend to be quick to recover so should be ready for some styling work next year.

For my maples I usually repot every other year while they are young. Older/trees with mostly radial and fine root systems I will let go an extra year sometimes if drainage isnt a problem.

I fertilize after the first two new internodes have formed with organic slow release fertilizer and then a second application in august. acer rubrum are verrry strong growers so you have to be careful of the long internodes.

Check out ABCarve's rubrum. Lots of good info in this thread for you:

Thread '32 year old Acer Rubrum' https://www.bonsainut.com/threads/32-year-old-acer-rubrum.42520/

Thanks for the info!!
I am looking forward to working with the roots in the years to come then!

Will most definitely check the thread you suggested!

Btw the suckers doing great! Started fertilizing about a week ago but noticed what could be signs of erineum mites