Double-Trunk Trident

[shibui]

If you are going to all the bother of growing a new set of roots why not put them a bit higher - closer to the fork so you will have an authentic twin trunk bonsai. Gets rid of the straight base and the slight reverse taper and puts roots at the widest part of the trunk.

[bodhidharma]

I have worked on my twin trunk for a few years now and i had to make a separation in the trunks a few years ago as it was growing together. I think you are going to have the same problem and would recommend splitting them now to create the separation. The tree recovers well from the ordeal. After the split you will be able to stand the tree more upright to better its viewing angle.

[missybonsai]

Thanks Ray and Daiviet for the links, if I end up creating a new root-system I'll decide which method to use.

Thanks for the idea Shibui, I may end up doing this, Im just a bit torn about what to do, becuase the roots are still small but probably 3-4 years old, which means if I start a new root-system I'll be set back that far. But I agree that the trunk seems too long and straight, so what to do??

Thanks Bodhi, that sounds like a good idea, do you a thread I could look at? How far would you recommend splitting it?

Again, really not sure whether to create a new root-system higher up or leave as is, what do you all think??

[bodhidharma]

hanks Bodhi, that sounds like a good idea, do you a thread I could look at? How far would you recommend splitting it?

I will post the tree for you and explain how and why and you will be able to see the result. Keep you posted.

[missybonsai]

Thanks, I would really appreciate that!

[bodhidharma]

So, some stuff got lost but am glad we are back. I posted the twin trunk for you Missy and will now stick it back up for you.

[bodhidharma]

Looks like we are still ironing out the bugs. I will try again. No, still a few glitches.

[Boics]

Yes pics are struggling...

From what I can see it looks like yet another offensively good tree from you Bodhi!

[kcpoole]

I have re uploaded the images for you bodhi and that has fixed it after Jeff did his magic

Ken

[bodhidharma]

I have re uploaded the images for you bodhi and that has fixed it after Jeff did his magic

[missybonsai]

Thanks for the pictures bodhi, that is a beautiful tree! I can see where you've carved it out. Did you use a power tool for this?

[bodhidharma]

The tree was split through its centre with an axe head and hammer. I gently tapped down on the head until i was happy with the separation. The split was held apart with a wedge until it set and is now healing over quite happily. The way i see it is that by the time the branching of the tree is up to par, the split will have healed completely. It was just making the decision as to the trees future and then doing it, as you have to use your imagination, this tree was joined the same as yours is now.

[missybonsai]

Thanks so much for your help Bodhi! that really helps a lot. I will keep you all updated on this tree's progress!

[missybonsai]

So today I took the plunge and separated the trunks as suggested by Bodhi. However, I did not use an axe as suggested, as it was too harsh in terms of the shock transferred when the axe was hit. Instead, we used a combination of a rotary tool and multi-tool, with the former being used just as a refinement, or in places the multi-tool couldn't fit. (I say "we" because my dad actually did this carving job) Here's some pictures anyway:

Front


Back


The longest trunk looks way too long and straight on this angle, which doesn't match the virtual anyway, so I will straighten the angle out. This will happen when I air-layer the tree about 1-2 inches below the bottom of the split in the trunks. After The air-layer has been separated, I will allow the tree to rest and grow so as to thicken the leaders, roots and the primary branches, and to heal wounds from more carving that has to be carried out to create taper at the junction between the trunk and the new leaders. I think since Bonsaipotter's virt suggested a spooky-forest tree, I will go all out with the image and create some deep shari/uro to break up the trunk and make it extra interesting and spooky This is going to take years and years, but thats to be expected, and this is my first big project

Thanks to everyone who has given such great advice and ideas for this project! Keep the opinions and ideas coming!