An unusual Trident

[AlainK]

Hi Scott,

It's a difficult tree: I understand why you like it, but it's a tough guy

The drawing with the grafting branches is excellent. And technically, the new branches, once fused, could be of great help to lessen what seems to me the biggest problem : 2, and 3 on my Gimp virtual:



"1" looks very good.

"2" is too thin. How to fatten this part, give it more girth, without making "3" even fatter?

I really like your idea, I think you're attempting at something very personal, and I'd really like to see what you have in mind for I'm sure it will be a great bonsai.

5!

 

[Lewiscarnes]

Thank you for posting all the pictures and diagrams

 

[sorce]

used a chisel to remove a couple large roots

Crazy you brought this up.
I was thinking about it yesterday.

I bought a $7 woodcarving kit from Michael's this summer and I have been using it more than any other cutting tool!

Them chisels get in where nothing else can!

I use the rubber handle of a klein screwdriver to pound it.

Offers a lot of control...
And it is enjoyable!

Scott, everyone reads your threads, so this is a good place to put it!

If you and chiselin, You sizzlin!

Sorce

 

[Lars Grimm]

@markyscott I recently purchased a large field grown trident and it has the same troublesome root issues (a few very large roots, irregularly arranged). Did you consider ground layering?

 

[markyscott]

@markyscott I recently purchased a large field grown trident and it has the same troublesome root issues (a few very large roots, irregularly arranged). Did you consider ground layering?

Yes of course! I'm still thinking about it.

 

[markyscott]

Addressing the big wound on the main trunk the spring. I noticed that callousing kind of stalled the past couple of seasons. Time to work it a bit or I'll end up with rot down the road. There already is a bit there. Exposed hard wood doesn't last long in the nations humidity factory.

On slow speed, I worked the deadwood smooth and cut back to living wood on the callous surrounding the wound.

 

[markyscott]

Then the whole wound is covered with cut paste.


This year - lots of growing and not much cutting. Priority is to heal the wound.

 

[markyscott]

Happy spring growth.

 

[just.wing.it]

Wow, I have just discovered this thread....
Awesome and educational, as usual!
Thanks @markyscott

 

[CamdenJim]

Happy spring growth.

View attachment 135780

Another well-done and well-photographed post. Thank you again.
Jim

 

[AndrewS1983]

Great thread I am learning a lot just reading some of ur maple threads !thank you Scott , I was wondering when u are in development do u make ur own fertilizers in the pvc and what all do u use?!

 

[markyscott]

Great thread I am learning a lot just reading some of ur maple threads !thank you Scott , I was wondering when u are in development do u make ur own fertilizers in the pvc and what all do u use?!

Hello Andrew. It's a fertilizer called Microlife.

 

[AndrewS1983]

Hello Andrew. It's a fertilizer called Microlife.

Thanks I'll have to look into it. I just recently got into bonsai and have a couple very small maples , figured I'd grow them out and maybe do some air layering on a friends big landscape tree .. I've just been browsing the web and came across this site and a couple of ur threads , they are really helpful and inspiring . I appreciate u taking ur time and explaining with pictures everything ! Thanks a lot !

 

[markyscott]

Thanks I'll have to look into it. I just recently got into bonsai and have a couple very small maples , figured I'd grow them out and maybe do some air layering on a friends big landscape tree .. I've just been browsing the web and came across this site and a couple of ur threads , they are really helpful and inspiring . I appreciate u taking ur time and explaining with pictures everything ! Thanks a lot !

Thank you Andrew. I'm glad you got something out of it. I've certainly learned a lot from the folks who've participated in the conversation.

Scott

 

[markyscott]

Here's a good sign.

Those cracks in the cut paste indicate that the stalled callousing has been successfully re-activated.


Looks like good callous growth all around the old wound. Working the edge of the wound with the die grinder really helped - I've had hardly any callous growth for a couple of years.

Lots of strong growth this year.


Scott

 

[Giga]

Looks great, it's a cool tree

 

[markyscott]

Looks great, it's a cool tree

Thanks Giga. A little closer every year. Tridents are great to work on, but I definitely can only handle a couple of these monsters in my collection. More would consume my every waking moment.

 

[Dav4]

I have to say, it's pretty satisfying to see a healthy and properly managed trident swallow up a big chop scar... love to see those cracks in the cut paste.

 

[markyscott]

I have to say, it's pretty satisfying to see a healthy and properly managed trident swallow up a big chop scar... love to see those cracks in the cut paste.

Thanks Dav4. I appreciate the complement. This year will be somewhat of a break in trying for the tree. I might work it once to make sure it doesn't totally get out of control, but the priority is healing and getting that callous growth moving so I'll focus on lots of growth. Then a big cut back in late winter.

 

[markyscott]

So the trident is taking a year off from training- priority is healing the wounds.


Good gains on growing callous after I activated the wound in spring.


Scars from large roots I removed are almost gone.


Scott