Trident Maple came in today

[small trees]

I purchased this one from Don a few days ago. The unexpected weather in the south delayed the shipping, but it arrived safe and sound. I want to take a while and decide what direction I want to take with the tree. What do you guys think?


edit: pics uploaded sideways. fixing that now.

 

[tmpgh]

I like the movement of the tree in pic 3 the best. Very nice.

 

[small trees]

I like the movement of the tree in pic 3 the best. Very nice.

Thanks! I'm ready to see some growth!

 

[small trees]

I don't plan to make a habit of it, but I'm bored in class and bumping to see if anyone has and preliminary ideas for the direction to take on this one. I have a couple ideas but I'll have to wait until a little later today to post my laughable paint verts.

 

[Poink88]

Nice tree.

This is what I will do if this is mine.

I will try to find a good compromise between the 3rd and 4th pic, paying special attention to the trunk movement and nebari. The branches can be easily "relocated" by wiring.

I will then re-chop the top diagonally, leaving the front portion intact but remove the cluster of branches behind it (see virt), clean up and build from there.

Good luck!

 

[small trees]

Nice tree.

This is what I will do if this is mine.

I will try to find a good compromise between the 3rd and 4th pic, paying special attention to the trunk movement and nebari. The branches can be easily "relocated" by wiring.

I will then re-chop the top diagonally, leaving the front portion intact but remove the cluster of branches behind it (see virt), clean up and build from there.

Good luck!

I'll have a better chance to look at it in a few minutes, but that looks like a good idea. I really appreciate it! I'll edit this post (if nobody else posts before I get back) with some thoughts in a bit.

 

[iant]

This would be a tough choice for me. The trunk is fairly straight and without a lot of taper and the roots look to be concentrated into three large roots. I'd probably tackle both those issues but not at the same time. Probably work on the roots first with a layer and then do a very low trunk chop later. But that's just me. Lots of other choices too.
Ian

 

[Jason_mazzy]

those roots should ground layer real well. lets get that nebari started then move to some taper.

 

[small trees]

Yeah, it's either that or root grafts. Ground layer vs. tourniquet anyone?

edit: Picture 4 in the OP could be a formal upright/broom style.

 

[small trees]

Just a quick update with a couple questions. The tree is starting to leaf out, and I have started the layering process.


Knowing that this is a long-term project, there are a couple things I am wondering.


- When do you guys check to see if the layer is ready to be separated, and how do you do so without damaging the new roots?

- A low trunk chop is in the tree's future, after the layer is complete. Knowing that it will be several years before the tree is in the stage of branch development, should I grow out low branches now to get believable girth on them, or should I wait a few years?

- For quickest trunk growth, is there a difference between letting all the top growth go versus letting one leader go? After the layer, I plan to stick the tree in the ground for a few years.

 

[Poink88]

Post pics of your airlayer. It will help give you proper advise on how to check since there are various ways to do it. Also tell us what substrate you used.

BTW, I personally would have waited a month or so before airlayering (when the leaves have hardened).

 

[small trees]

Just a quick update with a couple questions. The tree is starting to leaf out, and I have started the layering process.


Knowing that this is a long-term project, there are a couple things I am wondering.


- When do you guys check to see if the layer is ready to be separated, and how do you do so without damaging the new roots?

- A low trunk chop is in the tree's future, after the layer is complete. Knowing that it will be several years before the tree is in the stage of branch development, should I grow out low branches now to get believable girth on them, or should I wait a few years?

- For quickest trunk growth, is there a difference between letting all the top growth go versus letting one leader go? After the layer, I plan to stick the tree in the ground for a few years.

Post pics of your airlayer. It will help give you proper advise on how to check since there are various ways to do it. Also tell us what substrate you used.

BTW, I personally would have waited a month or so before airlayering (when the leaves have hardened).

The layer was done a few days ago, so I can't really show you anything as far as the layer itself goes. But the tree is planted normally in a pot, with a secondary pot for the layer. Rooting hormone was applied, sphagnum moss packed a couple inches around the area, the rest of the pot filled with turface/lava rock/pine bark.

 

[Poink88]

..., with a secondary pot for the layer. Rooting hormone was applied, sphagnum moss packed a couple inches around the area, the rest of the pot filled with turface/lava rock/pine bark.

That is good enough. I am assuming the pot is not transparent. You can wait until the roots poke at the holes or you can dig bit (slowly) at your soil later to check for roots. Don't worry about damaging a few. Trident is fast and should be ready in 3 months but the longer you wait the better. I've rooted & separated some boxwood in less time.

Good luck!

 

[steve27]

Hi Can you please give me the name of the place you got your trident maple
from. I to am looking to fine a nice one like the one you have.

 

[small trees]

That is good enough. I am assuming the pot is not transparent. You can wait until the roots poke at the holes or you can dig bit (slowly) at your soil later to check for roots. Don't worry about damaging a few. Trident is fast and should be ready in 3 months but the longer you wait the better. I've rooted & separated some boxwood in less time.

Good luck!

No, the pot isn't transparent. Sounds good; I'll check on it in a few months.

Hi Can you please give me the name of the place you got your trident maple
from. I to am looking to fine a nice one like the one you have.

Sure! There are tons of places to purchase from. I got this one from Don Blackmond. His website is gregorybeachbonsai.com , he has an ebay account, and he is also a member on here. His username on here is the same as his name and I'm sure he'd be glad to help you.

 

[Paradox]

Hi Can you please give me the name of the place you got your trident maple
from. I to am looking to fine a nice one like the one you have.

Hey Steve,

He got it from the same place I got mine that I told you about last night.

Don Blackmond (a forum member here) at Gregory Beach Bonsai

http://www.gregorybeachbonsai.com/

His Ebay site: http://m.ebay.com/sch/i.html?kw=seller:dyedb&epp=24&pgn=1

 

[small trees]

Hey Steve,

He got it from the same place I got mine that I told you about last night.

Don Blackmond (a forum member here) ar Gregory Beach Bonsai

http://www.gregorybeachbonsai.com/

His Ebay site: http://m.ebay.com/sch/i.html?kw=seller:dyedb&epp=24&pgn=1

Ebay link didn't work. Try this one steve. http://www.ebay.com/usr/dyedb?_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2754

- A low trunk chop is in the tree's future, after the layer is complete. Knowing that it will be several years before the tree is in the stage of branch development, should I grow out low branches now to get believable girth on them, or should I wait a few years?

- For quickest trunk growth, is there a difference between letting all the top growth go versus letting one leader go? After the layer, I plan to stick the tree in the ground for a few years.

Quoting this, does anyone have any answers to these two?

 

[Paradox]

Sorry Georgia, Steve is a fellow club member so I was trying to help him out.

As for your other questions. Im not sure to be honest.
My gut tells me that you should allow it to grow wild so that the roots can develop then cut back those branches when the roots are established. Id like to know too. I just got one of Don's trees myself. Hopefully someone with more experience can answer.

 

[Don Blackmond]

Just a quick update with a couple questions. The tree is starting to leaf out, and I have started the layering process.


Knowing that this is a long-term project, there are a couple things I am wondering.


- When do you guys check to see if the layer is ready to be separated, and how do you do so without damaging the new roots?

- A low trunk chop is in the tree's future, after the layer is complete. Knowing that it will be several years before the tree is in the stage of branch development, should I grow out low branches now to get believable girth on them, or should I wait a few years?

- For quickest trunk growth, is there a difference between letting all the top growth go versus letting one leader go? After the layer, I plan to stick the tree in the ground for a few years.

1. why not let the airlayer grow all season and separate it next spring? Most layers fail for 2 reasons: growth bridge or new roots not well established and get damaged when trunks separated.
2. you should grow your branches while developing a new leader and apex taper. you can keep their development in check by pinching pruning as needed, while letting your new lead run north unchecked.
3. Use 1 leader. Let it grow north and remove side branches. The leader will grow up instead of out and all energy will go up causing it to fatten quicker.

 

[small trees]

1. why not let the airlayer grow all season and separate it next spring? Most layers fail for 2 reasons: growth bridge or new roots not well established and get damaged when trunks separated.
2. you should grow your branches while developing a new leader and apex taper. you can keep their development in check by pinching pruning as needed, while letting your new lead run north unchecked.
3. Use 1 leader. Let it grow north and remove side branches. The leader will grow up instead of out and all energy will go up causing it to fatten quicker.

1. That's fine with me, I just wasn't sure on the normal time it took for a layer to take, since this is my first attempt at one.

2/3. Thanks a lot. I'll grow the lower branches and make some cuttings or something from most of the top branches.