AusBonsai

I think the Maple has now reached a point where we are getting to SNAP time, although that has not happened. I have pruned it quite heavily and pulled some branches down. Although the branches need to come down a little more they will look better with ramification. I snapped the main secondary on the lower branch but i think it looks better and inspires me to work on better branching. What think you all

what is the wrapping around the trunk for? is it to keep the tree from potentially snapping when you bend it the way you have?

Looking better all the time Bodi.
It will be intresting to see if you can get away without adding lower branches

G'day Simon, 100% right, it helps the tree to give and supports the trunk, just like a corsette . It also helps to stop marking the main trunk from the Bender (thingy)

Wow, that’s looking good Bodhi!!! That’s a fair bit of extra movement for a tree that size. Well done!
I want some maples. They can grow here, but they never seem too happy. And we don’t get pretty colours in autumn 
I was in Toowoomba on the weekend and my mum has an acer palmatum growing in her garden, a nice big old thing, but she won’t let me dig it. Had beautiful red autumn leaves!! Might take a pic when I’m back there next weekend

Bretts wrote:Looking better all the time Bodi.
It will be interesting to see if you can get away without adding lower branches

Thank's Brett's, yes but deep down i hope i am having to add those branches just so i can keep changing the tree

How long will you leave the "Thingy tm" on ? and how much Spring back do you think you will have

Ken

G'day Ken, The Bender thingy will come off early summer. i will wait one week to see if and how much it springs back (hoping for the "IF") If it moves to much i will do it all again. I know it can now. What was interesting was that it moved better when i turned it (the tree) in early morning as compared to the afternoon. I dont know why that is.

Bondi
I envy you maple
Btw. Where can you get a bender that is that huge?.
or did you make the bender yourself?

John

Dumper wrote:Bondi
I envy you maple
Btw. Where can you get a bender that is that huge?.
or did you make the bender yourself?

John

G'day dumper, the bender (thingy)actually came in a job lot that i bought three years ago. It was in as box of trunk benders that i bought second hand. I am going to get a quote to see how much it costs to get them made

She does look like a dancing Queen now ,very nice job .I'm gunna give it a go one day , but i think i will start on a smaller trunk as my luck runs thin when i torture my trees .Got far too many trunks to carve at the moment .Cheers Alpine

Hi Bodhi, I would be really surprised if you get any spring back on a tree with wood as hard as a maple, not like its a cedar is it? I am also astounded that you got it to move at all.
Craig

craigw60 wrote:Hi Bodhi, I would be really surprised if you get any spring back on a tree with wood as hard as a maple, not like its a cedar is it? I am also astounded that you got it to move at all.
Craig

G'day Craig, Comforting to know; thanks for that. I am with you though i do not think it will budge either. I didnt know that it couldnt be done and just went ahead and did it. No apprehension or worry. I personally think that helped. Its on my agenda to pay visit up your way and check your place out. Is that cool

It would be my pleasure. My nursery is pretty much perennials so its a bit scrappy at this time of year but you will probably bypass them for more interesting territory.
Craig

I posted this tree umpty dumpty years ago and have not bothered to update it or lost it in the tons of info here. I used the drill out technique on the tree and posted it on another thread but will hook up with this one. I am about to prune this tree ready for a repot and will share its Autumn colour. The trunk has nearly healed completely from its ordeal and is enjoying life in its updated Japanese pot. Along way to go and i dont know if i like its direction but i will wait another few years to see where it ends up. Maybe in the garden?