Jason
Chumono
So, I've been growing tridents in the ground for a few years but I got impatient and went and purchased a couple trunks with quality nebari and larger trunk diameter. I've been feeling like a kid with a new toy. Now that I've had the material for a few days I've realized that a couple of my unfinished stumps have large cuts with exposed dead wood and some "sub stumps" that are entirely or mostly dead. In none of the cases does the dead wood extend all the way to the dirt or roots. Can any of you maple veterans help me out and explain to me how I preserve the wood after it's carved to fit my overall design (I've heard lime sulfur alone, mixed with ink or acrylic for aesthetics, miniwax...). Can I expect a well fed and cared for maple will eventually scar over on 3-4 inch areas of dead wood while in a training flat or pot (in my lifetime). I'm afraid I might need to learn about managing hollow trees. Anyone with experience they want to share? Where I live it rains a lot. What should be my biggest worries in dealing with a tree like this?