AusBonsai

Staying a mates place for a few days. There is a great old maple of some kind out the front. The leaves are quite smalland have 7 points to them. I know it is old cause his grandfather planted it originally. I assume it is a japanese maple of some kind. Any one have a better id. There is a really cool branch I want to airlayer off, can I do that now or is it to late?? Would like to airlayer a few branches for my mate to plant around the property to remember his grandfather too. Any sugggestions welcome.

Josh

My guess would be just your ordinary Acer Palmatum!

Wouldn't mind a few air layers off that thing myself haha

-Mo

Study the trees branches look for a thick section to layer that has movement and taper .a large branch that divides and and branches off can sometimes offer a very good instant trunk . Watch the Graeme potter air layer u tube video if u need advice on the process .

Paulneill wrote:Study the trees branches look for a thick section to layer that has movement and taper .a large branch that divides and and branches off can sometimes offer a very good instant trunk . Watch the Graeme potter air layer u tube video if u need advice on the process .

I have a great branch planned for it. It has great movement and multiple branches for leaders. Has good taper, just currently attached to the tree and not in a bonsai pot


Josh

Lovely maple. You can get loots of very nice trees outta this one and hardly make a dent in it!

Ken

Hi Josh,
Now is a good time for layers. I have had failures when layering around bud burst but as soon as the leaves are fully open is great. you should be able to take them off later in summer.
Van Gelderen in Maples for Gardens describe Acer palmatum var palmatum as 'Upright growing small shrubs or small trees. Leaves are usually five-lobed, sometimes seven-lobed and relatively small.' so I'd guess that is what group this one belongs to.
I have a small leaved palmatum here but it is a bit temperamental and regularly dies back. Still persisting with it though.

Thanks for the comments guys. I'll put about 3 or 4 layers and see where I end up with it. Will document the process and post if successful. If it's not successful I'll just keep quiet and hope everyone forgets about it
shibui...this tree has 7 lobes and a fairly small fine leaf. It should be a great bonsai subject The tree would be about 60 plus years old.

Josh