trident maple. what to do.

[bazron]

ive got this trident maple and im not sure what i could do with it. so im asking for advice.
its got this ugly bend that make the tree lean to one side, i was thinking i could trunk chop so its only like 3 inches and basically build the tree again from scratch. i dont see any other way.

[Isitangus]

Trunk chop/air layer gets my vote

[bazron]

ohh air layer!! i didnt even think of that. see thats why i asked haha..

[Bougy Fan]

Air layer is OK but it will slow down the development of the tree. The most important thing is doing the root work when it goes dormant - you only have one chance a year to get the roots sorted out. And usually tridents need a fair bit of work done on them. I would repot and do root work and then either chop or air layer in spring.

[bazron]

so i guess after i work the roots ill plant it in the ground then when spring comes ill chop it and use what i can for cuttings.

thanx for your replies

Aaron.

[shibui]

Hi Baz, What ugly bend? I see an ugly vertical start to the trunk. Tridents make beaut informal upright trees but the trunk should ideally emerge from the ground at an angle. You can't even see the roots so you can't tell yet whether the trunk will be straight up or leaning.
If this was mine I would start by checking the roots to see which way I could lean the trunk while stoill keeping the roots reasonably horizontal (might be able to cut a few high ones off one side or the other) then cut the trunk above one of the lower branches to get a bit of real movement into the trunk. Pruning will give movement and taper in one cut.