Harvested these Maples from our club, unfortunately I was not at the meeting to select which one I wanted. So was stuck with unclaimed one. Managed to break up the clump into 4 separate trees, not really sure if all will survive All seem to be breaking bud fortunately for me. Again I was not able to pick so they aren’t the best of samples to work with, but they are free so not complaining. Just looking for some suggestions.
Harvested Maple, any potential?
- Thread starter Vietcu
- Start date
0soyoung
Imperial Masterpiece
In circumstances like this I view the question to be whether I have the potential to create a bonsai from it (them).
Now, how do you know that
Now, how do you know that
? Tell me exactly why you think they "aren't the best".
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BrianBay9
Masterpiece
Do you know what kind of maples these are? My initial impression is that they need to be cut back lower to get rid of some of those long, straight bits, and some reverse taper problems.
I don’t know, but my initial view is they aren’t the best. I’m still new so that’s my excuse. I was worried about cutting it back because didn’t want to kill them. They were already breaking some buds when we harvested. Didn’t really know how far back I can cut initially.
Jcmmaple
Chumono
I like the 2nd one, it looks fun. But you can always cut back lower next year.
Nanuk
Shohin
I think #2 and #3 have potential.
I would be happy to have them, especially for the price.
See what you can do with them. Even if they don't work out at least you'll be learning.
Good luck with them
I would be happy to have them, especially for the price.
See what you can do with them. Even if they don't work out at least you'll be learning.
Good luck with them
Forrestford
Shohin
#2 Has a good base. I would cut low on all the branches, probably get rid of that whole right side stick. Whats to lose? Maples are pretty tough.
Brian Van Fleet
Pretty Fly for a Bonsai Guy
Looks like Amur maple? I’d probably reduce the first one to about this:
Potawatomi13
Imperial Masterpiece
IMHO seems all have some potential. A couple nice bases
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BubblePopScott
Mame
Smoke
Ignore-Amus
Brian Van Fleet
Pretty Fly for a Bonsai Guy
Says the guy who buys trees and strips them of all branches to get started...?Yikes!!!
Nanuk
Shohin
Man we have some critical responders on this site. I could have sworn the title to this tab was “new to bonsai”
Tighten your seat belt.
?
rockm
Spuds Moyogi
I agree those are amur maple. I had amur for years. I would also agree with the drastic reduction suggested by Brian. If you leave all three trunks emanating from the same place on the trunk, you're going to get a confused design as all are the same size. That won't change over time. Removing two, will better define the line of the bonsai...
Amur are extremely tough and can take drastic reductions in roots and top and come back strong.
Amur are extremely tough and can take drastic reductions in roots and top and come back strong.
Orion_metalhead
Masterpiece
Depends what you would want to do or vision for the tree. I would start like this. The drastic cut on the roght sucker could be hollowed out.
leatherback
The Treedeemer
Nooooo... THat is where over half of the tree is!
I would keep that one, and remove all the stumps from the other one, leaving the tall one with strongest taper.
Orion_metalhead
Masterpiece
By my math, over half the tree is on the left and the right portion is straight with no taper.
leatherback
The Treedeemer
Aaah! But there is not so much math as there is emotion involved
I think by removing the small trunk on the right, and only working with the main trunk, you remove a lot of the umpf. ANd in fact, more than 50% of the effect the tree has.
Orion_metalhead
Masterpiece
I apologize for misunderstanding "emotional umph."
