New to Trident Maples

[harpua.cam]

I recently purchased a trident via a facebook auction. After patiently waiting, it finally arrived yesterday! This is my first trident maple and I have researched how to keep them healthy. I also dove into the "piglet's progress" thread and read the Peter Tea blog posts. I believe my tree is a few years away from starting branch ramification but my question is more about a chop. How far down would you chop the trunk in your opinion? I have never chopped a maple but I do realize they are fairly resilient. Thank for the help!

 

[R3x]

How about this?

 

[Dav4]

Hmmm, before giving you any advice on future chops, I've got a few questions for you. First, why are you considering a chop? Do you see a smaller tree in this material? The picture on the left show a trunk with descent taper from base to apex, and any chop you make will take at least a few years to heal over. By the way, it would be nice to have more pictures from all sides...don't forget that we only see this in a 2 dimensional picture on a computer or IPhone. Second, why aren't you showing us the base of the tree? That usually is the most important aspect of the material that determines the front and any future styling. Let's see it!

 

[sorce]

Yeah screw chopping.

Maybe clean up the top transition but.....

That's badass!

Lessin that bag is covering ugly.

I'd start a lot of branches over.

Friggin nice.

Still waiting to get approved there at the Auction....not that I have $ !

Sorce

 

[Don Blackmond]

Honestly, no one can give you decent advice without seeing what's in the bag.
If you are dead set on chopping, then consider air-layering instead.

 

[Giga]

Hows the nebari? You seem tot be jumping the gun a bit, not every thing needs to be chopped or such dramatic taper. Where the front for this tree? My opinion is plant it into a flat or similar and study the tree and see where you want to take it. You can't fix chopping the tree down once the deed is done.

 

[namnhi]

I would definitely air layer if the tree must be chopped.

 

[sorce]

Might ought just get to packin the bag with sphag?

Sorce

 

[harpua.cam]

I will post some more pictures this afternoon. I currently don't have a training pot large enough for the root system ( I have one ordered from that should arrive Saturday). I have some larger nursery containers that it would fit in. What do you guys advise I should do regarding the removal of the plastic around the root system? I have never worked with a tree with plastic around the roots. Should I wait until the pot comes or should I go ahead and put in in some bonsai soil in a nursery pot?

 

[Dav4]

I will post some more pictures this afternoon. I currently don't have a training pot large enough for the root system ( I have one ordered from that should arrive Saturday). I have some larger nursery containers that it would fit in. What do you guys advise I should do regarding the removal of the plastic around the root system? I have never worked with a tree with plastic around the roots. Should I wait until the pot comes or should I go ahead and put in in some bonsai soil in a nursery pot?

Can you build a wooden grow box for it? It's great for root development and overall vigor.

 

[harpua.cam]

I won't have time to build a box before my training pot arrives unfortunately.

I guess my main concern is the health of the root system in the plastic. Would it be better to let it air out?

 

[Dav4]

I won't have time to build a box before my training pot arrives unfortunately.

I guess my main concern is the health of the root system in the plastic. Would it be better to let it air out?

Ok, I'd heel it into a pile of bark mulch until your pot arrives.

 

[harpua.cam]

Here are a few more pictures as requested.

 

[_#1_]

That's an excellent pre bonsai you got there!

From last pic, I would chop an inch or two above the bend. It all depends the final height yout want.

This will be a nice tree in no time.

Edit: got a pic of it next to a soda can or something for size reference?