My ghastly grafted maple

[aml1014]

I'm honestly curious to hear your clubs thought process/reasoning to leave this tree as is.

Mainly for the fact that grafted maples are for more hardy on my climate and plants are difficult to airlayer. If you look closely in the pictures, you'll see I do have one airlayer set up on a decent sized branch, if it takes super well I'll most likely airlayer it onto is own roots. I guess I'll see how it goes. I really enjoy even as a grafted tree.

Aaron

 

[MACH5]

Nice tree Aaron. I have become very fond of threadleaf varieties for bonsai. Playing with a couple myself. I am curious as to why you are going to wait until it leafs to wire and prune?

 

[aml1014]

Nice tree Aaron. I have become very fond of threadleaf varieties for bonsai. Playing with a couple myself. I am curious as to why you are going to wait until it leafs to wire and prune?

It's very common in my parts to have die back on japanese maples when they are pruned heavy in early spring, we generally wait for the first flush to harden then cutback.
Thanks for the comment, I'm a huge fan of your trees and enjoy seeing you post.

Aaron

 

[Don Blackmond]

I would have removed the dirt and cleaned up the roots as long as you were repotting it.
You liked it enough to buy it, and that should be good enough for you regardless of other opinions. Just have fun and enjoy it.

 

[Underdog]

I got into this hobby to make myself happy. I like it, but YOU like it Aaron so...

 

[Altariel17]

I think the overall shape of the tree looks nice, and like you said, you're not planning on showing it.

Working with a species like maple in a climate like new Mexico has means changing some of the typical rules a bit to take care of it. It's nice that you have a local club to give you pointers. After all, tree health comes before aestetics, right?

 

[LanceMac10]

Yes, fun and enjoyment comes first......

 

[aml1014]

Did the first pass pruning on this beast. I wanted to be conservative for now just so I'm sure on where I want to go, but for now it's more opened up to the sun and air.
Before
And after
And the debris
I'm starting to get it reduced some, if you want to throw a virtual my way, feel free, I've never had a tree this big with braches going absolutely everywhere.

Let me know what you think so far.
Aaron

 

[MACH5]

Looking good Aaron! This tree would look great in a glazed round pot. For me these type of maples look best when they don't get over wired. More in a sort of free form type of look due to their soft, lacy appearance.

 

[aml1014]

I went ahead and did a 2nd pass on this tree this morning. Thinned it a bit more and put some wire on. @MACH5 I took your pointer when wiring and left it as natural as possible, I didn't put any artificial movement in to the branches, I only directed them to their new home.

Please let me know what you think, I'm pretty proud so far of this monster maple.

P.s. it even took a field trip out of the coldhouse for pics today! It isn't of the exact front I just realised but it's close enough

Aaron

And the above view

 

[aml1014]

This thing is on a mission, I've already pruned the long extensions once. I may need to do it again soon, there's some extensions going passed the rim of the pot.
Aaron

 

[jomawa]

This thing is on a mission, I've already pruned the long extensions once. I may need to do it again soon, there's some extensions going passed the rim of the pot.View attachment 105894
Aaron

Just saying.
Nice upper. It's too bad that very visible graft draws ones attention like a sore thumb. Not apparent when the leaves were covering it, but?

 

[aml1014]

Just saying.
Nice upper. It's too bad that very visible graft draws ones attention like a sore thumb. Not apparent when the leaves were covering it, but?

This pic is of the back of the tree, I just wanted to show the excessively long shoots.

Aaron

 

[Giga]

looking good, There is always the possibility of scaring up the graft area to hide the graft. It'll take some skill to do it but it can be done.

 

[ColinFraser]

scaring up the graft area to hide the graft.

Or knitting a cozy for it . . .

 

[augustine]

Your shaping/styling looks very good and the length of the branches is great for size of the foliage. This tree does not need to be as compact as some with smaller foliage.

I was very glad when I got here to page 3 and some replies finally said "enjoy your tree." Have a great time with your new maple.

 

[aml1014]

Yet another one of my trees slammed with a hard freeze before changing colors, NUDY PIC!!!
I've noticed since I got this tree that the bark color has changed to more of that white that we all love, and has smoothed the look of the graft transition. Gotta love the brute NM sun.
I'd love to wire this tree but it will be left outside this winter and will experience Temps down to 15°f a few times. Do you think it's safe to wire? @MACH5 @JudyB

Aaron

 

[LanceMac10]

Love the "accent", a clutch of spent beer bottles!!!
Too bad no color for your maple, though....

 

[aml1014]

Love the "accent", a clutch of spent beer bottles!!!
Too bad no color for your maple, though....

it's a fun accent
I've actually been saving them for the last couple months so that I can line the ground under my benches in the cold frame. My idea is that they'll catch water and hold residual heat at night and help keep the tree house more even with its temps. I know I'm nuts but that's why we're all here who knows if it'll actually work?

Aaron

 

[Grant Hamby]

I really like this tree! I'm a big fan of cutleaf for bonsai. So wispy. I've got one, but it's still a long way from bonsai status.