AusBonsai

This maple is from a cutting. Over the years, I have done about 50. I gave away most
of the survived ones. When the cutting was taken, it was about 1 mm thick.

I cannot remember the exact age of this cutting. But it must be more than 4 years old.

I collected this rock from Mount Samson region in Queensland. It does not feel like a
rock but rather fossilised timber. It is soft, even if being tapped on with only a
spoon, small pieces would fall off. I like the colour of the rock, it blends in with
the colour of the bark.

Presently, I have a about 100 3-year-olds trident maples, which I have grown from seeds.

The following photos were taken on 11/August/2008:













This pot is Japanese. I think it is just a mass-produced pot. I paid $36.00 for it.

* Some basic measurements:

Pot length: 32 cm.

Pot width: 24 cm.

Pot height: 9 cm (including the "legs".)

Tree height: 40 cm.

Trunk diameter: 3 cm. Measured right on the surface.

The below next lot of photos were taken on 21/September/2008:









There were 7 shoots on top; one will be a new leader. Another will become a new branch.
The rest will be cut off.

The following lot of photos were taken on 02/November/2008:









A new leader has been chosen, a new branch has also been created. All branches have
been wired about 3 weeks before the photos were taken, when the branches were still
young. The wires used are less than 1 mm thick.

I have found that it is more effective to wire trident maple branches when they are
still green (young,) we do not have to leave wires on for too long, and most importantly
branches will take on the designated positions much faster too.

I plan to cut off the new leader at the drawn line. And that will be its final height.
From thence on I will concentrate on develop the top and ramification -- at the moment
there are just branches.

This final lot of photos were taken on the 30/November/2008. The wiring and trimming have
been carried out on the evenings of 28 and 29 November/2008:



It still requires some more adjustments.



It looks a bit more balance from this view.



Yes, adjustments are necessary.



I like this view too.

*
* *

It and I still have a long way to go. I like this tree, I think I learn much more
about trident maple when I actually document my progress.

With this tree, I think this would be the final heavy trimmings for this growing
season.

Thanks for the post Viet - it will be good to see how you progress. I could not see thw line where you were going to cut back to.

I think I learn much more
about trident maple when I actually document my progress.

Isn't that the truth - it is also good to have photographs because it is amazing just how much we forget.

Jon

Hi Jon,

It is the 11th picture from the top, immediately under the line: "The following lot of photos were
taken on 02/November/2008:"

I found that, sometimes a tree seems to look like the image that you have in mind when you
try to shape it, but when you look at its pictures, they cause consternation

Computer gadgets just keep getting more and more affordable, and that makes keeping digital
stuff easier too

2GB of computer storage for less than $20.00. 10 years ago, it was almost science fiction.

Regards,

V.

I found that, sometimes a tree seems to look like the image that you have in mind when you
try to shape it, but when you look at its pictures, they cause consternation

Yes Viet, this is the biggest problem with Bonsai Forums as well. Photos being only two dimensional can be very deceiving, trees that look good in photos can sometimes be a let down when viewed in reality and vice versa. We do the best we can. Good Bonsai photography should consist of 4 photos each time, Front and Rear and Left and Right sides. Only then can you get an appreciation of depth.

Jon

I also like to see a fifth element on show quality tree's - the top view. Best way to show off nice ramification.

Steven

It seems that we are all competing to get the thickest A. buergerianum trunks. It certainly makes the leaves look smaller.

Wow! Iam speechless!

Are they all yours stymie? I have seen the picture of the second tree floating around the world... I believe it has made its way to Vietnam also, even though they have no clue what tree it is.

The last one is truely a master piece. There are at least two of that quality that I have seen in Melbourne.

Would you please tell a bit about them?

(I reckon I could turn mine into the last one )