future for this jap red maple?

[discusmike]

This is one of the jap. Red maples growing in my yard for future use, it has good nebari and scar free trunk, if this was yours, how would you style, chop the tree? I think ill let it go another season without cutting roots, I've noticed the red palmatums slow down to a snails pace when you chop and cut roots, I really like this one, it has nice small well lobed leaves with great color.what do you think would be the best way to approach this issue?I appreciate any help.

 

[Dav4]

It looks like it's got potential, but it would be nice to see pics from other angles. From what I can see, I'd be losing one of the sub trunks, but I can't say which one without more pics. By the way, the tree has a great base but you really should keep it covered as you have no fine roots there. If you're going to dig it in a year, I'd probably dust the exposed roots with rooting hormone, then pack the area with sphagnum moss and cover with a bit of soil. That might help some roots to pop where you need them.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Build a bonsai from the bottom up. Yes, this has a good base and radial roots...but the exposed nebari is going to be problematic when you get it in a pot. Unless you work over the next couple years to refine and reduce the exposed nebari, you're going to end up with a pretty large bonsai.

I would trench around the tree, nick some of the exposed roots, dust them with rooting powder, and pack the spaces between with lots of sphagnum moss (up to the height where the trunk is dry, and out as far as the roots are exposed). You'll be money ahead if you can get some fine roots to grow among the coarser roots.

I would also remove the thicker of the two branches where it forks and get it to start scarring over while still in the ground. Then shorten the remaining one and get it growing a third section.

In 2015, you'll have something to work with.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Wow Dave, you're brilliant!

 

[Poink88]

It this is mine, I will apply tourniquet on all the major roots close to the trunk and bury them deeper by using a "sleeve" made of cut up nursery pot. Hopefully in a year, they all sprout fine roots, making it safer (and easier) to collect.

Good luck!

 

[Dav4]

Wow Dave, you're brilliant!

Odds are, every once in a while I'll get it right.

 

[discusmike]

That's great info guys, never thought about dusting the roots.

 

[discusmike]

The tourniquet method sounds good also, never thought of using it on roots.

 

[discusmike]

Its hard for me to decide which trunk to keep, they are straight, not very interesting.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Its hard for me to decide which trunk to keep, they are straight, not very interesting.

Keep the smallest/lowest trunk. The right one in the first photo in post 9.

 

[discusmike]

Thanks Brian!

 

[Poink88]

johng posted a video response a few months back about chopping a forked branch...you might want to look it up. I searched but can't seem to find it.

Re: roots, older ones behave exactly like a trunk or branch would. Big difference is that the tree may divert demand to other roots having more options. An airlayed (or ground layered) branch or trunk have no option.

By the way, I will also cut all major downward root with a saw BEFORE doing the perimeter root work (which ever style you choose) and covering them. Come collection, you just cut the perimeter roots and the tree should pop right out reducing any disturbance to your new roots.

Good luck!

 

[discusmike]

Thanks Poink.

 

[JudyB]

This has potential to be a nice one. I agree to keep that smallest branch, the other two do nothing for the tree.
Good luck with your roots!

 

[discusmike]

Thanks Judy, I'm anxiously awaiting my favorite time of year, so many things to do.

 

[MACH5]

Good luck with it Mike. As usual you have received great advice from the guys and Miss Judy

 

[discusmike]

I don't know what I'd do without you guys, thanks for all the replies.