Acer Saccharinum (Silver Maple) #1

[Orion_metalhead]

Tree has done well. Needs a repot next year. Responded well to May pruning. Have some decisions to make stylistically. Gave it some fert for the fall build up to winter.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Very happy with development. As mentioned repot needed next year. It should respond with a year of massive growth after heavy post-repot fertilization.



Potential future front.... maybe rotated slightly counterclockwise...

 

[Ininaatigoons]

Is the lowest branch sacrificial or trunk? Too low for a branch and too high for twin trunk. Lookin good so far.

 

[Gabler]

If the low branch is meant to be your new leader, why are you pruning and wiring the rest of the tree? Wouldn't it thicken much faster if you let it run without interfering.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Silver maples in nature often have splits and clumps occuring not at the soil low, but several feet in the air. They tend to lean and have a droopy personality.

Trying to mimic that in this tree.

I may use that low branch as a leader later on if I dont like how the left trunk line works out.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Repotted today. First repot of the season. It's amazing how enjoyable just getting lost in a repot is. I used my deciduous mix for the soil - 1:1:1/2 Safe-T-Sorb, Perlite, Pine Bark as my Base Mix then 1:1/2:1/2: Base Mix, Base Mix, Compost. Because Silver Maples are swampy low land trees, I probably could have amended the mix with more compost but I think this will be just perfect.

I put it in a @Bob Hunter pot, since I like how it is turning out. Next steps this year are to fertilize in spring once I see 1st flush and then MAYBE a late June prune if it has done well.

Before:


Out of the grow box


Empty box for the next tree


Raking out the roots



Raked Out


Close Up


Some of the initial pruning



New Front Chosen:

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Some more photos:

Top down view:


The pot Selection:


Pot prepped


Tied down


Finished:


We are dropping below freeIng tonight so its safely under the bilcos until i can get it out tomorrow on the bench. Not expecting any below freezing temps for a bit so hopefully it can stay out. I also replaced my hose bib tonight so watering will be... possible!