First Look at Naked Trident & Question

[dbonsaiw]

Happy New Year. I picked up this trident maple in the spring and this is the first time I can finally see its branching. Was wondering how to proceed with the new leader come spring - there are just so many branches that grew up top that I was tempted to just lop off the top and start with a new leader. In a situation like this, could I prune off all branches from the top/just leave one or will this just always be a mess? I will likely shorten the tree in any event, but was curious to understand how folks deal with this kind of cluster on top.

 

[Nybonsai12]

I'd choose a new leader below the upside down octopus and chop away. If leaving the top with only one leader it would have to be re-cut at a better angle instead of flat across. I'd just start fresh and chop below it all.

 

[dbonsaiw]

I'd choose a new leader below the upside down octopus and chop away. If leaving the top with only one leader it would have to be re-cut at a better angle instead of flat across. I'd just start fresh and chop below it all.

Many thanks.

 

[Shibui]

As always there's a number of possible approaches to this situation.

The top could now be chopped at an angle to remove all branches on one side. Also reduce the remaining branches to 1 or at most, 2. This approach will leave the tree taller. Allow for developing the apex above what's already there.

Chop again to a lower side branch that continues the trunk lines. Existing side branches allow you to go straight to an angle chop and reduce the chances of a repeat octopus. You still need to allow for developing the apex above whatever chop you choose. No sign of nebari and the photo angles not conducive to offering suggestions on where likely chop sites would be.

Having seen this problem a frequently in tridents I prefer to intervene earlier before the cluster gets so advanced but that's easy to say in hindsight.

 

[dbonsaiw]

No sign of nebari and the photo angles not conducive to offering suggestions on where likely chop sites would be.

Trees have been mulched in for the winter, so the nebari is hiding. Here are some more pics from earlier in the season.

 

[Shibui]

I understand you guys mulch heavily to protect roots through winter but make sure you check nebari before deciding where to chop the trunk. When possible make the angle cut at what will be the back of the trunk so it is not so visible from the front side of the tree.

 

[Wood]

Something to be aware of is how much foliage you'd be removing. You'd be removing a lot of growing tips, so it might throw out huge, nearly useless, first internodes. Michael Hagedorn mentioned it in his latest podcast episode and suggested that doing cutbacks in stages decreases internode size keeps the growth more useful. I found this on his blog after listening to it: https://crataegus.com/2019/10/05/deciduous-early-development-part-i-japanese-maple/

 

[dbonsaiw]

When possible make the angle cut at what will be the back of the trunk so it is not so visible from the front side of the tree.

I need to work on this as I always seem to envision the front of the tree with the big cut on one side.

I found this on his blog after listening to it: https://crataegus.com/2019/10/05/deciduous-early-development-part-i-japanese-maple/

Thanks for sharing

 

[dbonsaiw]

I understand you guys mulch heavily to protect roots through winter but make sure you check nebari before deciding where to chop the trunk. When possible make the angle cut at what will be the back of the trunk so it is not so visible from the front side of the tree.

Repotted and made my cuts. After removing the top, the large lower branch and redundant branches, there was not all that much left.

 

[Hack Yeah!]

So how'd the roots look?

 

[Shibui]

After removing the top, the large lower branch and redundant branches, there was not all that much left.

It's a trident so will almost certainly grow back faster than ever. just look out for clusters of shoot growing from the same places. Thin out clusters to 1 or 2 at each growing point before the clumps cause bulges.

 

[dbonsaiw]

So how'd the roots look?

Roots were great. I was filthy and didn't take pics, but there was a ton of nice roots. Tree came from Brussels' and they obviously did work on the roots in the past so it was set up well. There was little to cut back under the base. I basically combed it out, cut back some larger roots and then cut the whole thing back into a circle. I'm sure I could have cut it back further and left maybe a 10" diameter disk of roots.

I will say that I kind of feel bad that I took a "specimen" tree and ripped it apart like it was just pre-bonsai. But that's what I saw.