Kashima Maple

[PeaceLoveBonsai]

Here's a Kashima maple I recently acquired. It's pretty tall, about 2 feet. The trunk is about 1 inch. I'm new to Kashima's, but I hear they are great bonsai specimen.



Here's a quick thought of where I might want to take this tree...



I was thinking I would just make one cut this spring, then just let the rest of it grow for a season.



So, thoughts? Any tips for Kashima maples in general?

Thanks!

 

[Don Blackmond]

I don't have a ton of experience with Kashima, but what i do have tells me that their growth patterns are more suited to broom-style designs. You will get good growth but much of it will be in the shape of a fan. Wiring and clip-and-grow techniques can address growth patterns, but sometimes its daunting to overcome what a tree wants to be.

 

[Bolero]

Please keep us updated...your Kashima has tons of potential and your sketch's say you know where you are going...Your first sketch shows uniform cutting all around to end up a Broom style...your second sketch shows the Broom is out and you are keeping the left side growth ???

 

[Vin]

Best described as "stubborn and slow"; at least mine is anyway.

 

[PeaceLoveBonsai]

Please keep us updated...your Kashima has tons of potential and your sketch's say you know where you are going...Your first sketch shows uniform cutting all around to end up a Broom style...your second sketch shows the Broom is out and you are keeping the left side growth ???

Yes, it's a bit confusing, but my initial feeling is that there are 2 dominant trunks coming up (and a third growing perpendicular)...and in order to keep from a reverse taper, I might want to cut one back. If I cut the trunk in the middle, it introduces and informal upright design that I hope the tree will respond to.

But, @Don Blackmond 's point is a good one about the broom style. I see many Kashima's grown in that style. I need/want to continue to give this tree some thought. I won't work on it till early spring, so i have some time to ponder!