Hard pruning Acer palmatum

[Jarrod]

Now I am unsure. I am concerned as the weather in melb of late has been dry and hot. So cutting now may stress this tree a bit much. The hot dry winds might dry it out to far and I may lose some of the trunk tips that I need.

For my sanity I think I will wait till autumn to cut this guy. I am in no rush with it. It's a long term project.

Thanks all for the response.

[Greth]

Aww, not even try layering off some bits?

[Jarrod]

Nah no point. Too straight and boring. Might try a heap of cuttings but the thicker parts are straight. I wish the nursery had wired a little movement in it.

Will be just hacking them off.

[Jarrod]

Thought I would show the development of the roots on this maple. Coming along really well and I will remove it from the base in the spring repot.



cheers.

[Jarrod]

Well Repotting done, here's the tree after the base was removed.



Thoughts?

[craigw60]

Hi Jarrod, I was half expecting to see you today. I assume you are going to bring the maple down further in the future ? It looks like it has heaps of nodes on the trunk I don't think you will have too much trouble with this one. Great nebari.
Craig

[Jarrod]

Was going to head up there but I have noticed buds swelling and as I don't get many days free to repot I needed to knock out some trees that were in dire need of it. Now I have to get ready and go play netball.

Once repotting Is out of the way I will make the trip up.

I am thinking grafting the branches I want then they are where I want them and pointing in the right direction!

Cheers.

[daiviet_nguyen]

Hi Jarrod,

This is a good tree you have. I like the roots very much. Although it will take sometimes for this to develop
into a good bonsai. But I could imagine the beauty of this tree in my mind already.

How do you plan to develop this tree? I mean what kind of training pot you are growing it etc.

I am book marking this.

Thank you and best regards.

[Jarrod]

Thanks Daiviet,

This tree has gone into a 300mm orchid pot while I get it strong again and give me the ability to maintain it, water and food, while the roots get strong. This tree may see some more time in the ground to accelerate the process but that won't be for 2-4 years when I am happy with the root spread.

I will grow out some branches for two reasons, firstly it will helpthe roots get strong again and secondly it will give me long shoots to use as thread grafts (I assume this is the best method to graft branches on Japanese maples)

Cheers

[anttal63]

Too good, awesome nebari!!! If you popped a little lower on the left and chop to the right would be even better... Would have done it for you but ya hand is in the way

photo-136.jpg

[Jarrod]

Yeah I was thinking about a single trunk line but I think this guy will be grown similar to the famous Walter Pall multiple trunk tree. I'm sure you know the one.

But thanks for your opinion.


Cheers.

[Bretts]

Looking great Jarrod. Who siad you can't replace a root base
I see it something like Walter's maple in the future

walter maple.jpg

[Jarrod]

Cheers Brett. That's the tree.

You can replace roots mate, just sometimes ya shouldn't have too!

[craigw60]

Hi Jarrod I think your right not to cut any of the trunks out, it would be alright to treat a trident like that but big cuts down low on a palmatum could lead to disaster.
Craig

[anttal63]

Hi Jarrod I think your right not to cut any of the trunks out, it would be alright to treat a trident like that but big cuts down low on a palmatum could lead to disaster.
Craig

Hey Craig just curious, what kind of disaster???