First mail order tree. Trident maple Pre-Bonsai

[Hartinez]

Pulled the trigger on this Maple on one of the auction sites recently. For $35 it seemed a great deal for what I was getting.

everything was packaged very well and was shipped ground from Dallas to here in Abq. Only took 3 days. I opted not to bare root and had the seller keep it in its pond basket. It’s begun to bud swell. I’d imagine that is either due to the climate it came from or the trip itself. It’s still cold here in Abq, so I plan on keeping it protected from freezing.

it’s got a few flaws but I see lots of potential. The initial chop has already healed over and the movement and planting angle are what I liked. But the healed over section may be more bulgy than id like to see. The nebari is not great, but being that it’s a trident, I’m confident I can rebuild the nebari over the next 5 yrs without issue. I plan on either ground layering new roots or applying a tourniquet. I plan on chopping at the redline to create movement back to the left. Either way, it’s going in to an Anderson flat for training.

this will be my first trident, and first mail order! I’m excited to give this tree every chance it needs to succeed! @MACH5 here it is! If you have any thoughts, I’d love to here em!

 

[Hartinez]

I suppose this view could be the back side. But you can really see the issues with the nebari on the back side.

trident pros. Ground layer new roots or tourniquet?

 

[sorce]

Nice.

Sorce

 

[leatherback]

Nice. You will have lots of growing to do before this is a bonsai. So do not worry about the nebari. It is good enough for now. Plant it deep next time, and every time you repot, do proper rootwork.

 

[Hartinez]

Nice. You will have lots of growing to do before this is a bonsai. So do not worry about the nebari. It is good enough for now. Plant it deep next time, and every time you repot, do proper rootwork.

Certainly will! and in an Anderson flat it will go for some time, and I still want to make sure I address the awful root base on the back side. The front (as I see it now) has very adventitious roots, but the back is an ugly bulge with nothing below. Regardless I should learn quite a bit this spring when I do a repot and take a closer look at everything below soil level.

 

[val rie]

Really looking forward to updates on the tree once it starts moving. I have a young one I got in October that I planted in the ground. I hope it is rooting well and can't wait to see it wake up.

 

[MACH5]

I suppose this view could be the back side. But you can really see the issues with the nebari on the back side.

trident pros. Ground layer new roots or tourniquet?

Danny, you could try the tourniquet first. If it doesn't work, they tree will have at least flared up quite a bit. Afterwards you can proceed to doing the ground layer by girdling the trunk right below the flare.

 

[Shibui]

Tridents are great at growing new surface roots voluntarily. First, I would just try burying the base a bit deeper for a year or 2 while it grows a bit more. Try to make the side that needs roots the sunny side as good top growth feeds good root growth. If no decent roots emerge try removing some bark as a ground layer or start a whole new root layer.
The red line chop is advised. New branch will probably emerge from the opposite branch collar after that cut to give a side branch.

 

[Hartinez]

Danny, you could try the tourniquet first. If it doesn't work, they tree will have at least flared up quite a bit. Afterwards you can proceed to doing the ground layer by girdling the trunk right below the flare.

Tridents are great at growing new surface roots voluntarily. First, I would just try burying the base a bit deeper for a year or 2 while it grows a bit more. Try to make the side that needs roots the sunny side as good top growth feeds good root growth. If no decent roots emerge try removing some bark as a ground layer or start a whole new root layer.
The red line chop is advised. New branch will probably emerge from the opposite branch collar after that cut to give a side branch.

Thank you Sergio and @Shibui . I appreciate the advice from both of you.

 

[Necrosis]

Nice. You will have lots of growing to do before this is a bonsai. So do not worry about the nebari. It is good enough for now. Plant it deep next time, and every time you repot, do proper rootwork.

Why do you plant it deep?

 

[Hartinez]

Why do you plant it deep?

The surface roots will ramify, get thicker and improve overall. Over exposing your nebari too soon will slow it’s development down.

 

[leatherback]

Why do you plant it deep?

New roots will only sprout on roots/trunk segments that are moist. If they dry out every few days no new roots will grow. So while you are developing your nebari, on areas that need roots.. Bury deep. If you do not want new roots / ramnify / taper .. bring it into view.

Most of my trees are planted deep as none of them is as finely developed as I would like