When you break off the main branch.....

[treeman]

You can use it to see where it could have been..

Before

P1110274 - Copy.JPG

After

P1110275.JPG

Here?

P1110276.JPG

Or here...

P1110277.JPG

What about here?

P1110278.JPG

Unfortunately nowhere.
The only thing to try is to graft on a new one below the break

P1110281.JPG

P1110282.JPG

P1110283.JPG

And wait...

P1110285.JPG

[Kevin]

Hello Treeman,

That broken branch appears to have been suffering from Branch / Bark Inclusion - an accident waiting to happen.
It's a common problem with 'normal / big' trees.

Kevin

[shibui]

Just a touch over enthusiastic with the bending by the look of it
It is a really nice tree with the branch in any of those positions but I think I like the balance better at the new lower site. Even without that branch it has good character. The stronger weight toward the left is more dynamic so even if the graft does not succeed it would still be a great bonsai.

Good luck with the graft Mike.

[treeman]

Hello Treeman,

That broken branch appears to have been suffering from Branch / Bark Inclusion - an accident waiting to happen.
It's a common problem with 'normal / big' trees.

Kevin

Not in this case Kevin. it was already broken on one side and when I pushed a little on the other side it came off. (even though I had just put in a stainless steel screw to hold it in place). In hindsight I should have wrapped it tightly in raffia first. But after a few ......''f*&^%###$@)*(&^&&%'s''.... you make do with what you have left!

[melbrackstone]

Ouch! Hope the graft takes!

[Keep Calm and Ramify]

Treeman,
WOW..... Stunner of a tree - I kinda agree with Shuibu here in thinking that branch maybe wasn't even required. I liked it with - I Really liked it without. Either way its a win - win situation for u.
All the best

[quote="shibui"]Even without that branch it has good character. The stronger weight toward the left is more dynamic so even if the graft does not succeed it would still be a great bonsai. yes yes yes

[FruitFly]

Sorry to hear about your mishap Treeman, but to a newbie, it's encouraging to know that even the most experienced have these things happen.

Cause I did it yesterday too, on a new (nursery stock) Japanese Maple. Little to enthusiastic after participating in a workshop in the morning.

Thankfully it didn't break of completely and the wire held in in place. I've taped it though. Hoping it decides to heal, it not, then it I'll just have to redesign.

Not as big an issue as on an established tree though.

Cheers FF