trident - Hiro masterclass 2014
Posted: July 6th, 2014, 4:41 pm
The second tree I submitted for Hiro to critique was this triple trunk trident maple
There were some comments about triple trunks being quite rare in Japan because of the difficulty getting all 3 trunks to have harmony, height and thickness differences and good placement.
This tree has been developed from several seedlings planted close together. as they grew they have fused into a single tree. At least 1 trunk that did not fit in well enough has been removed (see scar at base of right trunk)
I think the movement of the 3 trunks harmonise quite well and I am happy with the height of the trunks. Originally the right trunk was quite a bit thicker than the taller middle trunk. I have managed to slow its growth to allow the taller one to catch up but I want to keep working on it until the central trunk is clearly thicker than the other 2.
Changes suggested to improve this tree were:
*Tilt forward at next repotting to bring the apex further forward.
*Prune the apex of the taller tree and regrow it to get better taper at the top. Also let the apex broaden a little to give a more rounded profile.
*Allow side branches to extend more.
*Remove moss from the trunk - he made the same comment for several of the trees being critiqued, particularly in regard to nebari - "like a person who does not wash'
*Clean the pot!
Hiro said to use a toothbrush to clean moss off the nebari and trunks. A quick witted audience member suggested to use the wife's toothbrush rather than your own
Not sure what Hiro made of that after it had been translated but he did mime brushing teeth and said 'tastes like moss'
This tree has been developed from several seedlings planted close together. as they grew they have fused into a single tree. At least 1 trunk that did not fit in well enough has been removed (see scar at base of right trunk)
I think the movement of the 3 trunks harmonise quite well and I am happy with the height of the trunks. Originally the right trunk was quite a bit thicker than the taller middle trunk. I have managed to slow its growth to allow the taller one to catch up but I want to keep working on it until the central trunk is clearly thicker than the other 2.
Changes suggested to improve this tree were:
*Tilt forward at next repotting to bring the apex further forward.
*Prune the apex of the taller tree and regrow it to get better taper at the top. Also let the apex broaden a little to give a more rounded profile.
*Allow side branches to extend more.
*Remove moss from the trunk - he made the same comment for several of the trees being critiqued, particularly in regard to nebari - "like a person who does not wash'
*Clean the pot!
Hiro said to use a toothbrush to clean moss off the nebari and trunks. A quick witted audience member suggested to use the wife's toothbrush rather than your own
Not sure what Hiro made of that after it had been translated but he did mime brushing teeth and said 'tastes like moss'