AusBonsai

After 2yrs in the ground I plan to dig & work on an old nursery stock maple this winter but am still not sure which one it is... Anyone have any idea on species?

Hi MattA , its an Acer Japonicum anconitifolium common name Full Moon Maple .

Cheers Alpineart

Thanks Alpine

Hi MattA , These maples usually throw 1 pair of leaves per season at any one node unlike other maples the shoots don't extend beyond the 1st set of leaves , if defoliated or even severe sunburn can create die back on that branch .

Cheers Alpine

Cheers Alpine,

This Acer does have only one grow cycle per year tho extension can be of considerable length & multiple pairs of leaves (as far as this tree has grown so far) unlike my palmatums if pruned midsummer it hasnt shot again tho I havent tried defoliating as it has been regaining vigour for the last 2yrs and from observation it isnt something I would bother with. Styling of this variety of maple is tentative & not what would fit easily in many's personal definition of bonsai but like a lot of those types of plants I find they can make the most interesting trees...