Newbie Chop Advice

[Yankee Dog]

My question is about chopping, but first a background.

Late summer I was doing some maintenance on my garden pond and pulled this free range maple up out of the edging rocks by its roots. At the time it was destined for the compost heap, but the root structure was so interesting I decided to try a root over rock style bonsai.

The photos show show the above ground roots draping over the chosen rock. The pot is fairly large and the roots extend several inches into the soil beyond what you see exposed. I did zero root trimming and very little pruning. My objective was the trees survival after being so unceremoniously ripped out of the wet rocks. The tree lost no leaves after the transplant. Dropping its leaves at the normal time when the weather turned cold (zone 7b, North Alabama).

so at this point it is a,stick in a pot. It needs to be shortened. My question is where to cut. I’m thinking three or four inches about the roots but not really sure. Will the tree really sprout new growth if I just cut and leave a stump.

As for when, my normal garden experience says now is a good time. Except for the fact that it is a tree and I just ripped it up and stuck it in a new pot A couple or three months ago. Would it be better to give it another year to recover. Or can I chop now.

 

[Eckhoffw]

All depends on your game plan. You could go all in, or take it slow.
I’d give it a break. See if it can recover for a season.
You can wait and see if it has survived the rough transplant, if it does, then chop.

 

[AshleyMammal]

Let it growww let it groooowww

 

[Pixar]

Let it growww let it groooowww

what he said

 

[It's Kev]

Use the rock as a shortcut to a fatter base, for that to happen your tree needs to be a whole lot thicker itself, so yeah, I’m chiming in with the above 2 comments.

 

[Yankee Dog]

Thanks for the replies. I will let sit unmolested for,another year. Maybe just pinching off any growth that takes it taller.

 

[Shibui]

If you want a good root over rock I would rearrange those roots so they are closer to the rock. Space between roots and rock looks unnatural. Tie the roots to hold them closer if you have to but use something that will rot away before damaging the growing roots. I would also try to get some roots over the back of the rock. With roots only on one side they tend to push the tree away from the rock as the roots thicken and grow. Spring, before buds shoot is a good time to bare root and change root systems on deciduous.

Let the whole thing grow free for a year or 2. That will thicken the roots so they hold the rock better. It will also thicken the trunk quicker than if you trim it. With maples you don't usually have to worry about the trunk getting too tall because they will shoot from older wood after a trunk chop though some types are better than others. Do you know what species of maple this one is?

 

[Yankee Dog]

parentage is a question. the Most likely candidate is a green leaf upright growing Japanese maple of some sort. Small delicate leaves. Purchased at a garden show with no labeling A few years back.

This one is growing directly above the collection site, however there are normal N. American maples growing in the neighborhood and birds visit the water feature on a regular basis.