AusBonsai

I think those leaves are far enough advanced to do any cutting you want. (I avoid cutting/ pruning maples while they are budding because they bleed a lot but when the leaves have opened this far it is not a problem.) The earlier you start the quicker there will be roots.
Sometimes I have used sphagnum moss packed around the cuts because I think sphagnum has special properties to help promote roots but it is not essential. Just make sure you cover the area well with good potting mix so the new roots have adequate moisture and no sun to dry them out. I would add mix to completely cover all the visible roots. You might need to make a collar to go around the trunk to hold the extra potting mix in place.

Thanks Shibui , I'll get onto that ASAP appreciate the advice
regards
peterb

Hi Everyone
just an update on this tree , I decided to go with the slits around the trunk Shibui because the trunk isn't evenly round so I cut out slits in the trunk where I wanted to add roots and painted on rooting hormone ( a mix of the red gel and hardwood cutting powder ) and then I made a collar around the trunk and filled with a mix of chopped spaghnum , pine bark and pumice as in the photos . I also cut off the top root of those crossing roots
peterb

Good luck with it! Keep us updated

Looks just as I imagined

Good luck with this Peter. Cant wait for the "after" pics...
I would've liked a pic of the slits you made.

Hi Fredman
Sorry mate only thought about it after I had finished , that I should also have taken a photo of the slits . Hope it works . I'm eager to see the end results but don't want to wish the summer away
Peterb

Hey Peter. Good to talk again (Go the Springboks )
Yeah I'm sure it'll work mate. I know exactly what you mean about the photos. I do it all the time. The thing is, when you're in the zone and concentrating on whatever you're doing on the tree, you forget about everything else....until its to late that is

This will be a much better tree now you've taken a step forward. I see potential for a strong informal upright tree with that powerful first branch

Hey Fredman
Go the bokke
Peterb

Thanks Jezz , wish i could keep the ramification tighter but first things first things, the Newark needed sorting out
Peterb

Subscribed!! Looking forward to seeing the results....

Hi Homer
For fear of sounding like I'm wishing my life away , I'm also eagerly waiting for winter to see how it's worked
peterb

Yeah me to