Trident maple (twin trunk)

[gnichols]

I bought this one from Neil last October (2018). At the time of purchase he said 'let it grow', so I did. I was hoping he would come back for another demo so I could take it along for next steps. But I know you good people will offer some good advice and possibly drawings. This pic was a few weeks after purchase. As you can see the nebari is quite impressive and I'd think that would be the front side.

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[gnichols]

I was doing some pruning of other trees today and plonked this one on the table but then thought I'd ask for ideas. I can see something okay there but would love some ideas/feedback. Just showing it from two sides - I like having the more impressive nebari at the front.

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[MJL]

Hi Gnichols,
I’ve been racking my brains - mainly due to the lack of growth down low on the main trunk. Also, while you note twin-trunk, am I right in saying it’s two trees planted close together. And if so, that smaller trunk could be angled more aggressively away.

So.... take this tree as something like the main trunk ....

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and then angle the smaller trunk so it’s trying to get more light from under the canopy.

Sort of a mother/daughter type set-up with the mother protecting the daughter but the daughter still wanting their own space ... maybe

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Bonsai teaches me patience.
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[shibui]

Nice tree
Your plan is sound IMHO.
Twin or 2 trees close together doesn't matter. Both are styled similar. The space between the trunks of this twin is important. see brown lines below. The smaller trunk echoes the bends in the larger trunk so you should show that. Low branches are important on the smaller trunk to help balance the arrangement. Smaller trunk will almost always grow out away from the shade of the taller trunk so branching is longer on the outsides and apex of the minor trunk grows outward. Some depth perspective is desirable so often better to show the trunks slightly forward or behind from the preferred view.

I can see 2 equally good possible twin trees using that space between those trunks:

1: Your idea of a strongly leaning smaller trunk. Something like this:

InkedInkedtrident twin _LI.jpg

Yellow foliage area optional depending what it looks like as it develops. Other buds may give extra foliage pads if you get them in the right places. Back branch on the smaller trunk might extend more toward and behind the larger trunk than shown. No need for lots of branches. A few well placed branches will fill the spaces as they develop.

2: More upright twin trunk:

Inkedtrident twin2 _LI.jpg

Use the existing main leader on the smaller trunk to extend the smaller trunk and develop a canopy. Other branch placement is similar.

Look forward to seeing progress as this develops.

[gnichols]

Almost a year later on this one. I'm not sure what to do with the top left trunk. Whether to shorten both top sections which are growing over the top of the smaller trunk or whether to completely remove the lower (of the 2) altogether?

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[shibui]

It looks like there is plenty of separation between the upper branches and the top of the smaller trunk so I'd leave the branch.
Bonsai do need some spaces but too much space is not really attractive either.
You probably don't want that upper branch much longer so just keep trimming any extending shoot back as they grow. Also thin that one out each winter to prevent the branch getting too thick. There is a tendency for upper branches to grow faster than those below. With that extra growth comes extra thickening and before you realise the upper branches are as thick or thicker than the apex.
A similar approach with the apex itself should allow the lower branches to grow a bit more.

Overall branches are in classic positions and well spaced. I think it looks good.

[juan73870]

nice bit of nebari happening there!

[MJL]

Mate ... don't worry about snipping a couple of branches off... it looks to me like a bloody Imperial I-class Star Destroyer is about to blow the whole plant into next week.

[one_bonsai]

The reverse taper on the main trunk is annoying me

[MJL]

Mate ... don't worry about snipping a couple of branches off... it looks to me like a bloody Imperial I-class Star Destroyer is about to blow the whole plant into next week.

Call me inquisitive but I am still interested on how a twin trunk maple comes to sit near a wall containing an Imperial Star Destroyer and a couple of sneaky Tie Fighters. https://youtu.be/535bVDdRBhs

Ah what the hell - let's revisit the opening scene and the destroyer flying in at 2.17.... https://youtu.be/yHfLyMAHrQE?t=20...shook the cinema in 1977!!!

(Sorry - poor form in hijacking the thread but I do love that being sequence. ;) )

[shibui]

gnichols. You need a larger sheet to stop MJL getting distracted