Five Year Native Tree Challenge

[Johnnyd]

The first picture is tree 1.

2nd and 3 rd are tree 2.

I have a feeling tree 1 will be nicer bonsai. I only plan on laying the better tree. Ill let them develop in ground for a few years. They are both Acer rubrum and were chopped in July but seemed to react differently. Maybe because of variation in species or light differences. No 1 is in full sun compared to No.2 In part shade.
Good luck everyone!

 

[Johnnyd]

It's been a couple years since I updated this so I figured I'd post some progress pictures.
The slender tree was ground layered 5 weeks ago. I used a dremel to ring the bark near the ground and used alcohol to ensure the cambium layer was removed. I attached some thick plastic around the base with a staple gun to make the removal of the layer easy. It did help.


First roots were trimmed and the top reduced. Then I secured the layer in a small training pot.

I have seen some of the threads where they discussed reducing the root mass as a strategy for taming internode length. I am tempering my enthusiasm for this one. Just going to work with it and see what happens. One positive note, both the first year chop and second have completely healed.

The plan is to create a tall tree with slight movement. I saw a Bloodgood Japanese maple at a local show where the tree did have long internodes but because of the height it looked elegant.