Root development

[yamadorikid]

Hi all, I have this maple tree here which I don't like the root development the way it is, just wondering if I drill small holes and insert toothpicks to generate some more root growth..
Will this work this time of year ?
Or should I wait until spring?
As maples are usually dormant this time of year ...?

All my other maples have dropped their leaves or have turned red but this tree still has full green leaves for this time of year ..




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[treeman]

When you are developing roots, always have the nebari at least 30mm under the medium. Trident maples have the habit of throwing out new roots from all over the place including old wood but they need to be constantly moist to do this. So add a couple of inches to the mix, top with Sphag moss if you can and let the tree rocket away all summer. Cut back all heavy roots/branches next winter and repeat. The nebari will come. Especially in ''humid'' Sydney!,

[shibui]

Tridents will often develop new roots when the trunk is buried as treeman says but the position of the roots is often a bit random. Wounding the area more often stimulates roots where you want them. Drilling holes and inserting sticks is one way to do it but sometimes the holes just heal over without roots. I now use larger holes plugged with larger pieces of stick. I have also achieved reasonable results by peeling off a strip of bark - the top of the cut is where the roots will come from. Sphagnum around the area to keep it moist the cover that with mix.
It is probably better to try these techniques closer to spring because at this time of year they will just callus and maybe heal over, especially if the wooden plugs rot away before the roots start.

[yamadorikid]

Thanks so much for the tip....
the way the nebari is at the moment was what i dug up from removing the soil around the nebari.....there was no roots even though it was covered in dirt...

i might try some small drill holes with small sticks to insert and also wounding the area's where i want some new roots to grow....

but i might try in the spring time to get the best chance at this...

ill will post up my outcome to keep you posted....

thanks!!!