Arakawa Japanese Maple

[NaoTK]

I was just thinking arakawa is great because it hides scars well. I'm dumping most of my Telperion Japanese maples, just don't feel for JM like I do for other species. Then there's the scars on my field-grown trunks. Hard to get behind a tree which will always have flaws. Someone talk me out of it if scars mute after a few decades

 

[River's Edge]

I was just thinking arakawa is great because it hides scars well. I'm dumping most of my Telperion Japanese maples, just don't feel for JM like I do for other species. Then there's the scars on my field-grown trunks. Hard to get behind a tree which will always have flaws. Someone talk me out of it if scars mute after a few decades

The beauty of some maple species are the ability to rework scars and with patience get amazing results. The difficulty with maples is the pressure placed upon the grower to create a trunk without major blemishes. The cure lies within the balance of patience and persistence with improved technique. It helps to study the progression of known trees illustrated in careful fashion. I found the examples in Merrigiollis book encouraging. Particularly if one is working with larger stock that has a good deal of correction involved in order to obtain the " most " for that particular tree.
I suspect the truth might be that the best examples are not the result of field growing techniques, but actually the much more careful and patient methods employed by container growth over longer periods of time. I share your observation that field grown maples can be very demanding of our time, expertise and patience. This is an observation that repeats itself whenever I return from major shows of spectacular examples of Bonsai.
Short answer is that you can make incredible progress reworking scars on maples with patience and improved techniques. Longer answer involves tremendous respect for the growers that can produce incredible trunks with smooth appearance from the get go! Often we need to decide which aspects we have the true passion and patience for and which ones we may wish to set aside or limit the number we tackle. I vote for limiting the number one works with but retaining the diversity of challenge of working with a wider diversity of species. I picked up an Arakawa trident to work with this summer.
PS: Sorry I missed the opportunity to purchase pots in Oakland, Visiting Houston to support my wife's participation in the Houston International Quilt Festival!

 

[badatusernames]

Sure! I suggest to not do any leaf cutting or pinching in the apical regions. Let those areas extend in the spring. Post hardening, then cut back as necessary.




Thanks Bri! Hoping for a good showing.

Thanks!

 

[MACH5]

Thanks!

NP! Also I want to add not to do any leaf cutting or at least keep it to a minimum even post hardening on the apex. It is a bit alarming to see so many arakawa maples with dead tops including a really nice one I am working on now for a client.

 

[Moridin]

Such a beautiful tree sir

 

[SouthernMaple]

The arakawa today a little past peak color. Some wire and guy wires are still on a few branches that will be removed before it goes on display at Kannapolis this December. Mossing will need to be done as well as some fine tune pruning. I also had a larger custom table made (not pictured) which should compliment the tree nicely.

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i can't wait to see it and you in person next month

 

[SouthernMaple]

I was just thinking arakawa is great because it hides scars well. I'm dumping most of my Telperion Japanese maples, just don't feel for JM like I do for other species. Then there's the scars on my field-grown trunks. Hard to get behind a tree which will always have flaws. Someone talk me out of it if scars mute after a few decades

This is why I always have a front and a back. When the front has too many scars or they are healing up, I switch fronts.