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Yamadori
Hey everyone, this is my first post here so please forgive me if it's in the wrong forum. I thought of putting it in the Collecting one, but wasn't sure. I am preparing a rather large Acer Campestre yamadori for spring collection. I have collected a few trees in the past but don't have anything of this size. I found the tree growing in a bamboo thicket this summer and was staring at it for months before I decided to do anything.
Before cutting, the tree was about 15+ ft tall with a 14 or 15 trunks and a strong, upward growing habit. I believe the tree is well over 20 years old, and was forced to grow additional trunks with low outward branches to compensate for the lack of sun it was getting at the top, surrounded by bamboo and a few thick and tall winged elms.
After cutting it back severely and cutting the trunks down to a good height above a node, I sealed the cuts and will leave it be. I'm still unsure which trunk will be the "main" one in the composition so I left the two thickest ones at about the same height, and I'll make those styling decisions once the tree is vigorous and established in a container. One of the trunks already has some collar development above a node!
Either way, I just moved to North Carolina from Massachusetts and I'm still unfamiliar with the winters here. Now my questions begin:
1. Has anyone had success with root layering a tree by digging a trench, filling it with compost and growing media, and letting small roots ramify in the autum/spring in the ground before collecting, around the nebari? My inclination is that with campestre's compressed and outward growing root system, this would help a lot.
2. Could I collect the tree now, stick it in a large wooden box with a heat pad below the root mass, and let it overwinter that way in a "pre-bonsai" soil?
3. Or, should I wait until spring to collect and leave it be in the ground without touching the roots at all until then?
I've had success transplanting and collecting in the fall and spring with a number of different species native to Massachusetts, but this would be the first campestre I've worked with. Any input is appreciated. I've included pictures below.
Before cutting, the tree was about 15+ ft tall with a 14 or 15 trunks and a strong, upward growing habit. I believe the tree is well over 20 years old, and was forced to grow additional trunks with low outward branches to compensate for the lack of sun it was getting at the top, surrounded by bamboo and a few thick and tall winged elms.
After cutting it back severely and cutting the trunks down to a good height above a node, I sealed the cuts and will leave it be. I'm still unsure which trunk will be the "main" one in the composition so I left the two thickest ones at about the same height, and I'll make those styling decisions once the tree is vigorous and established in a container. One of the trunks already has some collar development above a node!
Either way, I just moved to North Carolina from Massachusetts and I'm still unfamiliar with the winters here. Now my questions begin:
1. Has anyone had success with root layering a tree by digging a trench, filling it with compost and growing media, and letting small roots ramify in the autum/spring in the ground before collecting, around the nebari? My inclination is that with campestre's compressed and outward growing root system, this would help a lot.
2. Could I collect the tree now, stick it in a large wooden box with a heat pad below the root mass, and let it overwinter that way in a "pre-bonsai" soil?
3. Or, should I wait until spring to collect and leave it be in the ground without touching the roots at all until then?
I've had success transplanting and collecting in the fall and spring with a number of different species native to Massachusetts, but this would be the first campestre I've worked with. Any input is appreciated. I've included pictures below.
