AusBonsai

hugh grant wrote:Nice mate! I picked a few maples this spring about the same size from a neighbour pulling them out of his front yard. They are shooting very well just like your one.
Good luck with the grafts

Hugh

Very nice! Pics at all?

Cheers mate, hoping the lower shoots gain some energy to get the grafts done as quickly as possible! The trunk is already thick enough so branch structure is all I'm worried about haha.

-Mo

Gone mental

Howdy,
It's the love that makes them strong.
Once the top leaves have hardened up a bit, think about cutting it back to about 6inches tall. Just above the lowest leaves.
That will remove the taper issues and the forked branches growing vertical and in 5 years you will have a nice compact tree.
You must revisit the root structure next time you repot.
Happy bonsai,
Bruce.

bonsaibruce wrote:Howdy,
It's the love that makes them strong.
Once the top leaves have hardened up a bit, think about cutting it back to about 6inches tall. Just above the lowest leaves.
That will remove the taper issues and the forked branches growing vertical and in 5 years you will have a nice compact tree.
You must revisit the root structure next time you repot.
Happy bonsai,
Bruce.

Thats what i would do too ! Great minds think alike Bruce !!!

the buds are thrown in the right spots! The roots.... hmmm lol when I dig this up you guys will see just how much of a dilemma they are. Because this tree grew in front of a brick wall it has one thick root (the knee of which is visible just above the soil line) that grew a little down then turned horizontal and wrapped itself around the trunk. It has now fused to it and has made a very interesting looking base (not beautiful... not bonsai... but interesting). I'm contemplating layering just above this to develop the roots. Not really sure how to tackle the problem. Any suggestions?

Update. This, for now, is the front. Just removed a couple of the branches and left stubs. Layered the other branch a while ago hoping it takes, if not no worries haha.