Is It Time To Prune?

[JohnFranklin - Zone 7b]

I have these 2 Amur maples, grown from seed, 3.5 years old, trunk diameter nearly a half inch and each are approximately 3 feet tall. Also, I reside in zone 7. I have two questions and would appreciate any input.....does it make sense to prune them now and does moving them to a shallower pot make sense at this point. Two years ago, Mr. Leo (Illinois Leo) suggested a bigger pot or an Anderson flat. I chose a bigger pot, is a flat still applicable given the passage of time? Thanks....pictures attached...

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Not yet. Let those trunks fatten up for a few years.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Let 'em grow, they will go from a,half inch diameter now to 2 inches in no time. I have 2 Amur myself, and one is intended to be a shohin, less than 8 inches. Right now it is about 4 feet tall and I will let it grow untouched this year again. I want a 2 to 3 inches diameter trunk, and letting it grow is the only way to get it.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

It might make sense next year to move them to shallow & wider containers, but make sure the containers hold equal or a little more media than current pots. The reason is most bonsai pots are less than 4 inches deep. Eventually you will want to shape the root system, and work on creating an attractive nebari. It is never too early to start creating a nice nebari, but it doesn't have to be your first priority. These trees are young enough you can begin working the nebari in the future.

 

[JohnFranklin - Zone 7b]

Thanks for the response (s). The trees are currently in 1 gallon pots....any harm in moving them into 2 or 3 gallon pots until next year? The logic being it could enhance trunk growth, which maybe flawed thinking on my part.

Thanks...

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Thanks for the response (s). The trees are currently in 1 gallon pots....any harm in moving them into 2 or 3 gallon pots until next year? The logic being it could enhance trunk growth, which maybe flawed thinking on my part.

Thanks...

You could shift them to bigger pots, but I wouldn’t disturb the roots, and would try to use the same soil.

Alternately (probably better), you could set these on the ground and let the roots escape out of thr drain holes into the ground for this year. That will accelerate growth and keep some fine roots still close to the trunk.