Trident Maple "Clump"

[FlyBri]

Gday folks!

Here's a biggish Trident that I purchased from a Bonsai Society of Victoria 'Special Sale' 2 years ago. From memory, it was a bargain - only setting me back about $30!!! It appears to be the result of fusing a number of trunks, and I believe that it was developed in the ground.

August 2008:

BSV_Trident.jpg

BSV_Trident_01.jpg

BSV_Trident_02.jpg

BSV_Trident_Repot_08_08_01.jpg

BSV_Trident_Repot_08_08_02.jpg

BSV_Trident_Repot_08_08_03.jpg

BSV_Trident_Repot_08_08_04.jpg

BSV_Trident_Repot_08_08_07.jpg

October 2008:

BSV_Trident_Oct08_01.jpg

August 2009:

BSV_Teaser_Aug_09.jpg

July 2010:

BSV_Trident_Jul_10_01.jpg

BSV_Trident_Jul_10_02.jpg

BSV_Trident_Jul_10_03.jpg

There are still a lot of sections which trouble me, including straight, taperless runs and significant areas of dieback. You might be able to see some chalk marks where I am considering chopping lower. I think it's time for a radical makeover, and I now have 50 of AlpineArt's Trident seedlings to help me in the re-design of this tree...

To be continued...

[Gerard]

Nice material Fli, I cant wait to see the makeover.
I feel that the present design lacks a focal point (or has too many) and that one of the trunks should dominate the others
JMHO
thanks Gerard

[FlyBri]

I feel that the present design lacks a focal point (or has too many) and that one of the trunks should dominate the others

Gday Gerard!

I think you're right about a focal point and a dominant trunk. My problem is choosing which trunk - I suppose the logical choice is the central one at the back...

Anyway, I've pulled the thing out of its pot for the first time since the initial repot in 2008. Looks like I have a lot of work to do on those roots.

BSV_Trident_Jul_10_04.jpg

BSV_Trident_Jul_10_05.jpg

Thanks!

Fly.

[alpineart]

Hi Fly , its a tough one .Personally i would tilt trees 1&2 front on the left in sinc to the left and tree 3 "front"to the right .This would open up the setting and expose the rear trees giving more depth .I like the movement of the trunk in the middle and would try to hang onto it for the focal point . To me pics don't do justice for re-designs.Cheers Alpine

[FlyBri]

Gday folks!

I sketched up a quick & dirty virt in which the central (rear) trunk is given dominance over the other 4 trunks. It is not so much a finished design as a possible direction to aim for... In this scenario, the lower left trunk offers a bunch of issues.

BSV_Trident_Jul_10_03_Virt.jpg

Thanks.

Fly.

[FlyBri]

In this scenario, the lower left trunk offers a bunch of issues.

...or maybe not...

BSV_Trident_Jul_10_03_Virt2.jpg

BSV_Trident_Jul_10_03_Virt3.jpg

[alpineart]

Hi Fly , now thats looking better . To me it looked like a 5 clump style now it is looking like a aged knarly Sumo .What are you plans ,Single or multi trunk? .Cheers Alpine

[FlyBri]

To me it looked like a 5 clump style now it is looking like a aged knarly Sumo .What are you plans ,Single or multi trunk?

Gday Alpine!

I had been planning to go with a 5 trunk clump-style, but both of the outer 'trunks' (the one on the right is really a low branch) are quite problematic: the one on the left sits at an odd angle and has no taper or movement, and the other one has so much dieback from branch removal as to be almost unusable. If I was to go with the latest option, there would still be 3 individual trunks, but I would likely treat the design as a hollowed out broom-style variant.

I wonder how the purists out there would feel about a triple trunk hollow informal broom-style clump.

Stay tuned - I hope to get stuck into it later today...

Thanks!

Fly.

[Glenda]

Hi Fly,

Personally the 'perhaps' virt appeals to me more. Can't give you technical reasons why, I just like it more than the others.

Glenda

[FlyBri]

Personally the 'perhaps' virt appeals to me more. Can't give you technical reasons why, I just like it more than the others.

Gday Glenda!

I tend to agree with you: this silhouette is about as simple as I can achieve with this arrangement, and it is the closest to resembling a 'traditional' Bonsai form. I have yet to see what the removal of 'trunks' 1 and 5 will do to the profile of the tree.

If I was to go with the latest option, there would still be 3 individual trunks, but I would likely treat the design as a hollowed out broom-style variant.

Turns out I lied about there being 3 individual trunks left in the 'Perhaps' virt: in fact, trunks 1 & 2 (currently 2 & 3) are joined at the base. So, I guess I'm looking at a double trunk hollow informal broom-style clump...

Thanks.

Fly.

[simo_5]

i like its style

[ketutg]

i always enjoy your posts fly.
I too like the perhaps virt as it shows of the trunk and roots more and with the seedlings you have just bought there's no doubt you'll have lots of options and fun.

[FlyBri]

I too like the perhaps virt as it shows of the trunk and roots more and with the seedlings you have just bought there's no doubt you'll have lots of options and fun.

Gday Ketut!

I sincerely hope the seedlings give me some options, as it's looking pretty crappy now...

BSV_Trident_Jul_10_06.jpg

You're right about the 'fun' part, and that is about to begin, methinks!

Thanks!

Fly.

[FlyBri]

BSV_Trident_Jul_10_07.jpg

BSV_Trident_Jul_10_08.jpg

BSV_Trident_Jul_10_09.jpg

BSV_Trident_Jul_10_10.jpg

BSV_Trident_Jul_10_11.jpg

[Jamie]

gday fly

this one has heaps of potential, i reckon the last virt you did ("prehaps") is what i would go for, along those lines anyways

one thing i have noticed with all your trees which is an absolute credit to you konwledge of trees is the root systems, they are always so full fine feeders and look so thick and healthy! you gonna spill any secrets or let us just try and guess how you do it

jamie