My first Trident Maple

BB Brian · Post by **BB Brian** » June 5th, 2017, 10:56 am

Thought I'd start a progression thread on one of my first proper trees that I've pruned hard from the nursery.

Advice is more than welcome! Cheers!

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benbonsai · Post by **benbonsai** » June 5th, 2017, 11:07 am

I'm not too experienced, but I would consider chopping down further. Perhaps just above that first small branch on the right and letting that grow as the new leader.
Otherwise you will have a tree with little to no taper.

Ray M · Post by **Ray M** » June 5th, 2017, 11:55 am

Hi Banong,
As a precaution, remove the dead wood and seal it to prevent any further rotting.

Maple -2.jpg

Regards Ray

BB Brian · Post by **BB Brian** » June 5th, 2017, 12:58 pm

benbonsai wrote:I'm not too experienced, but I would consider chopping down further. Perhaps just above that first small branch on the right and letting that grow as the new leader.
Otherwise you will have a tree with little to no taper.

Thanks Ben, i was considering that but wasn't sure if i should chop now while tree is dormant or wait till spring. thanks for your advice.
Also this photo was taken a few weeks ago, i can post recent photos soon, some leaves have fallen off but should i defoliate the tree completely since we've just entered winter?

BB Brian · Post by **BB Brian** » June 5th, 2017, 1:02 pm

Ray M wrote:Hi Banong,
As a precaution, remove the dead wood and seal it to prevent any further rotting.

Maple -2.jpg
Regards Ray

Thanks Ray, i have re-potted recently and roots may not be as stable if i was to use a saw.
Would that be an issue? If not, will get onto that on my next day off.
or just proceed with care and caution.

Daluke · Post by **Daluke** » June 5th, 2017, 2:10 pm

Good start mate!

I like what you have done. Especially with a nursery tree with no real work done before.

Most of the branches should leave the trunk at a hard angle like the first one. I say most because the ones at the top should start facing up.

I just heard a podcast advising against sealing branch cuts. The logic was that you could "seal" in bacteria forcing worse rotting. The tree has a natural ability to heal. Each to his own.

Good luck.

KIRKY · Post by **KIRKY** » June 5th, 2017, 2:46 pm

I agree with Ben,

I would cut it on an angle just above first branch on the right. Then wire that branch up as the new leader

you will get a much nicer tree

Cheers
Kirky

Ray M · Post by **Ray M** » June 5th, 2017, 2:47 pm

banong wrote:
Ray M wrote:Hi Banong,
As a precaution, remove the dead wood and seal it to prevent any further rotting.

Maple -2.jpg
Regards Ray
Thanks Ray, i have re-potted recently and roots may not be as stable if i was to use a saw.
Would that be an issue? If not, will get onto that on my next day off.
or just proceed with care and caution.

Hi Banong,
I wouldn't stress the roots anymore. You could put some sealing paste over the dead wood for now. In Spring you should have much stronger roots and you could carve the dead wood out then.

Regards Ray

BB Brian · Post by **BB Brian** » June 5th, 2017, 5:07 pm

Was comparing red to green arrow as leader. Thoughts?

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BB Brian · Post by **BB Brian** » June 9th, 2017, 12:07 pm

After numerous cuts, cut paste and re-arrangement of the branches here is where I'm at!

Thanks for the advice guys!

Beano · Post by **Beano** » June 9th, 2017, 1:38 pm

Looks great with the movement, I like it, but you're going to get reverse taper problems if you leave the 2nd left hand side (as you view it in the picture) branch there long term. Leave it for now, but if you can get one growing up a bit away from where the branch chop was, I would use it and get rid of the trouble one.

BB Brian · Post by **BB Brian** » June 9th, 2017, 5:05 pm

Beano wrote:Looks great with the movement, I like it, but you're going to get reverse taper problems if you leave the 2nd left hand side (as you view it in the picture) branch there long term. Leave it for now, but if you can get one growing up a bit away from where the branch chop was, I would use it and get rid of the trouble one.

should look out for a branch where the cut paste ends? on top?

Ray M · Post by **Ray M** » June 9th, 2017, 6:56 pm

Hi Banong,
Could these be possibilities

Maple taper-2.jpg

OR cutback to the bottom branch and restart the tree.

Maple taper-3.jpg

Regards Ray

Paul W · Post by **Paul W** » June 9th, 2017, 8:05 pm

Yes Ray,I like your last suggestion, to get rid of that very long straight trunk.

Max · Post by **Max** » June 9th, 2017, 9:01 pm

agree but where the lowest branch is would be the go, where the notch is about an inch above the nebari or the first branch is , but i'd lean towards the lower notch. It seems a waste of tree i know but the result in 10 years is something that a young fella like you can look forward to

AusBonsai

My first Trident Maple

My first Trident Maple

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Re: My first Trident Maple

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