Nybonsai12
Masterpiece
I was flipping through an issue of International Bonsai from last year and saw the instructional on how to split a trunk of a small japanese maple for the purpose of bending into a semi-cascade.
I don't recall seeing if there was a comment on what time of year is best to do this. My gut would tell me spring after it is warm enough so that there is no risk of freeze. I am very lucky to have a good amount of Japanese maples in my yard that range from one foot to full size trees. Last year I gave air-layering a shot on one I wouldn't mind losing. I think it worked as there were plenty of roots when I separated the layer. Hopefully it survives the winter.
I wanted to try to split the trunk of one of the smaller ones this year. It's approximately 2 feet and maybe 1/2 inch to 1 inch in diameter. My question is, what time is best to do this and also, if the tree to be split is currently in the ground, can it be dug up and split all in the same year or is this considered too much for the tree?
Thanks in advance for your comments/advice.
I don't recall seeing if there was a comment on what time of year is best to do this. My gut would tell me spring after it is warm enough so that there is no risk of freeze. I am very lucky to have a good amount of Japanese maples in my yard that range from one foot to full size trees. Last year I gave air-layering a shot on one I wouldn't mind losing. I think it worked as there were plenty of roots when I separated the layer. Hopefully it survives the winter.
I wanted to try to split the trunk of one of the smaller ones this year. It's approximately 2 feet and maybe 1/2 inch to 1 inch in diameter. My question is, what time is best to do this and also, if the tree to be split is currently in the ground, can it be dug up and split all in the same year or is this considered too much for the tree?
Thanks in advance for your comments/advice.