AusBonsai

Hi all.
This is my Japanese maple and I want to do a trunk chop. Is there such a thing as too early for a chop? And will I need to have some of that sealing paste?
I found a whole lot of new shoots on it today which got me excited. I'm fairly new to growing my own plants, my mum is the gardener in the family. I know the plant is young but I'd rather get the shape started sooner rather than later. This one is just too tall and straight.

You will need to seal all your cuts on maples, even the smallest branches, twigs etc....
Your question is it too early? Never to early if your not happy with it as it is. But before you do something you may regret?
What is it you have in mind for this little tree?

Some people use cut past and swear by it.
Many do not and swear by not using too,
Personal choice really and you can use many alternatives to seal cuts as well.

I do as I like the look of the finish on the trunk, but that only really matters to trees on display. Young growing stock to does not care.
when you cut a maple, you need to leave a longer stump which will die back anyway rather than cuttign flush first up.

Ken

kcpoole wrote: when you cut a maple, you need to leave a longer stump which will die back anyway rather than cuttign flush first up.

Ken

You know, this is the first time I've heard this advice, and it really explains why all my cuts look terrible. Now I know, thanks Ken!

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KIRKY wrote:You will need to seal all your cuts on maples, even the smallest branches, twigs etc....
Your question is it too early? Never to early if your not happy with it as it is. But before you do something you may regret?
What is it you have in mind for this little tree?

I want a gnarly tree if I can achieve it. I want to chop the trunk above one of the lower branches and use it as a new leader.
The more I think about it, the more I'm tempted to air layer the trunk before I chop and duplucate the tree because it seems like such a waste.

To be honest, if you want a thick gnarly tree, i'd see if you can buy more advanced thicker stock and chop it back hard. As it stands, it'll be a long time before it gets much thicker, especially if you chop it now or weaken it with an airlayer. Japanese Maples generally lend themselves towards slender sleeker trees anyway, but not saying gnarly can't be done! Just expect a longer timeframe than most other trees.

Trident Maples will give you a thick strong gnarly sumo looking tree much faster.

Hmm. Maybe gnarly was the wrong word to use. I'm thinking more twisty than incredibly bulky.

Then cut back to the first branch. Use that as a new leader. Apply wire and bend the bejeezers out of it. Search for grow stock liken Japanese for some ideas

Ken

In answer to the earlier questions -

Is there such a thing as too early for a chop? And will I need to have some of that sealing paste?

1. Yes there is such a thing as too early if you mean too early in the year. Maples can bleed badly when cut just before they bud up in spring but it is no problem when the leaves have opened like this. If your question refers to how old the tree needs to be then no, there is no such thing as too early. I sometimes cut really young seedlings at just a few months old if I want them to put out several low branches. The downside of cutting early is that it will slow growth a bit but if you set a good basis for future trunk shape it will probably be worth the tradeoff.
I would probably also shorten any side shoots you leave as well. You will have to do it later anyway, might as well do it all in one go.

With little trees like this I rarely use cut paste or any sealer. Sealing large cuts does help speed up healing but small cuts like this will heal over in no time anyway.

Thanks so much for the tips everybody.
I'll go ahead and do the chop and if I bugger it up then I haven't really lost any time because it's my first tree and I haven't had it for long. I'll just try again!

Wish me luck!

Agree with shibui regarding the bleeding. Absolutely the worst time of year to cut Japanese maples. The best time is just as the last few leaves fall in the autumn.

... and cut on an angle in sympathy with the branch/new leader , this describes the technique as well as other tips ... viewtopic.php?f=7&t=8312

I use cut paste, but only on major cuts. reduces dieback.