Twin-trunk arakawa maple

[luvinthemountains]

So this year, in keeping with my tagline, I decided that I need to invest in some better material to challenge myself to grow. Admittedly, the stuff I am getting is still on the low end of the market, and there are much better trees out there, but it's a start.

This arakawa maple was propagated from a large imported arakawa by Howard and Sylvia Smith. It is a twin-trunk style, still early in development. But the barking around the base is what caught my eye.

The only work I have done so far on this tree was applying the guy wire. The two trunks were way too close, practically touching. Over this season I will keep cranking on that until I have some nice separation.

Your input and suggestions are welcome and appreciated!

 

[RKatzin]

Love it! You might try a brace between the two trunks to get some spread.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

 

[Hartinez]

So this year, in keeping with my tagline, I decided that I need to invest in some better material to challenge myself to grow. Admittedly, the stuff I am getting is still on the low end of the market, and there are much better trees out there, but it's a start.

This arakawa maple was propagated from a large imported arakawa by Howard and Sylvia Smith. It is a twin-trunk style, still early in development. But the barking around the base is what caught my eye.

The only work I have done so far on this tree was applying the guy wire. The two trunks were way too close, practically touching. Over this season I will keep cranking on that until I have some nice separation.

Your input and suggestions are welcome and appreciated!

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I really like @Brian Van Fleet idea. You could get a second tree out of it also.

 

[luvinthemountains]

That is one path I would definitely consider, @Brian Van Fleet. I was already thinking air layer somewhere, it had just never occurred to me to go that low! You have an excellent eye.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

That is one path I would definitely consider, @Brian Van Fleet. I was already thinking air layer somewhere, it had just never occurred to me to go that low! You have an excellent eye.

I know what I like...

 

[luvinthemountains]

Sadly, it is looking like the first branch didn't make it through the winter...


But on the bright side, I've got flowers!

 

[leatherback]

sorry to hear

 

[penumbra]

Sorry about that, but you still have some good material to work with.

 

[luvinthemountains]

Thanks, @leatherback and @penumbra! I think bonsai is a little like life on the whole. The first loss of a key branch or tree is something you can't stop thinking about, for a long time. Then you get a ways in, and you find its easier to move on. I wonder what this tree will have for me next?

 

[Hartinez]

Sadly, it is looking like the first branch didn't make it through the winter...
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But on the bright side, I've got flowers!
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That is a bummer. But there is still a great tree in there!