Split trunk Japanese maple

[mds_1978]

Hey everyone, this is a Japanese maple I bought from a bonsai nursery in 2017. I thought I'd share some progression photos as it's leafed out and is looking quite nice now.

I think the primary branches are pretty much done, so I'll be working on the ramification this year.

Any comments/critique very welcome.

August 2017


May 2019


March 2020


July 2020


November 2020


August 2021


February 2022


April 2022

 

[rockm]

Nice little tree. You asked for opinions, sooo--I think the tree would benefit greatly if the left-hand shorter trunk were reduced to the first branch. As it is now, the tree has a dual apex for no real reason. The first branch is simply too high on the trunk to be visually considered a second trunk--it's just a large upward growing branch that detracts from the primary apex. Additionally, that high forward facing branch is also distracting, crossing over the plane of both apexes. It also comes off the trunk at an awkward angle.

Reducing both will likely result in some decent backbudding and new shoots that can be developed into branches...

 

[mds_1978]

Nice little tree. You asked for opinions, sooo--I think the tree would benefit greatly if the left-hand shorter trunk were reduced to the first branch. As it is now, the tree has a dual apex for no real reason. The first branch is simply too high on the trunk to be visually considered a second trunk--it's just a large upward growing branch that detracts from the primary apex. Additionally, that high forward facing branch is also distracting, crossing over the plane of both apexes. It also comes off the trunk at an awkward angle.

Reducing both will likely result in some decent backbudding and new shoots that can be developed into branches...

Oh wow, that's pretty radical, but I like the suggestions. When would be a good time to do this? In the summer once the spring growth has hardened off?

 

[rockm]

Oh wow, that's pretty radical, but I like the suggestions. When would be a good time to do this? In the summer once the spring growth has hardened off?

Late next winter would be ideal. You could do it now, though.

 

[namnhi]

Will heal better if you chop it while it is actively growing....

 

[mds_1978]

Bonsai4me suggests doing hard chops in the mid summer semi-dormant period, so I will wait until then. Thanks for the advice!