Collected Acer circinatum

[Cruiser]

This vine maple was destined for removal so I decided to provide it a new home. Normally, I’d wait for spring for this sort of thing, but have heard of successes with late summer collecting.

The original tree was approximately 20’ in length with only a single trunk. Mature vine maple typically grows as multi-trunked clumps. It was established in loose orange-brown soil underneath a red cedar canopy. As a whole, it appeared healthy.

The chop was made 13” up the trunk. 3 long, leafed out branches were included. I tried to dig out as many fine roots as possible. They were kept wet. Large knobby roots were cut. Aluminum tape was applied to the cut. I haven’t used it before but hear it helps wounds heal faster, so why not try it?
Once home, the tree was put into a large container. The medium is a 50/50 mix of the original forest soil and gb organics basic potting soil. I’m going to bury the container in mulch over winter.

The plan is to just leave the tree alone and see if it survives. Then go from there.

Diameter just above root flair is 4.5” total height is 13”. Age 35 years.

Once it’s established should it be chopped lower?
Has anyone had success with aluminum tape or collecting in late summer?
Any advice for managing vine maple? Do they respond well to the hedging method?

 

[Colorado]

Helluva trunk!

 

[Mike Corazzi]

WE WANT STICKS IN POTS !!!

 

[Potawatomi13]

Looks like pretty good roots and nice crooked trunk to start. Would keep whole trunk peraonally. Be aware likely will be difficult for tree to grow callus under AL tape(I "think"). Allow tree bright shade/small sun and should be OK. Positive of tree ID? leaves seem different from personal Vine Maple.

 

[RKatzin]

Hard to tell in the pics, but the leaves do look a little long in the fingers for a Vine Maple. Could you show a close up of the leaves?

 

[Cruiser]

Looks like pretty good roots and nice crooked trunk to start. Would keep whole trunk peraonally. Be aware likely will be difficult for tree to grow callus under AL tape(I "think"). Allow tree bright shade/small sun and should be OK. Positive of tree ID? leaves seem different from personal Vine Maple.

Thanks. The al tape is adhered tightly to the cut. I didn’t use putty underneath. Is there a way to tell the wound is starting to heal underneath the tape? (Without removing it)


Vine maple for sure. The leaves have been munched on so they look a bit off.

 

[Cruiser]

WE WANT STICKS IN POTS !!!

 

[0soyoung]

Is there a way to tell the wound is starting to heal underneath the tape? (Without removing it)

The edges will start to rise above the level in the center (which is just wood).

However, even if it does, the trunk is likely to die back to a line between the highest branches below. You should notice the bark having withered near the cut by next spring. You will then (next spring) want to cut away the trunk above this line and seal that ring of cambium. Then, after a year or two you will see the lip raise.

Such a colossal wound nay never be grown over, but the key will be vigorous growth of the uppermost branch. Stylistically, the front of the future bonsai should be opposite, so that it is in back. If it is a bit to the side, the edge(s) will appear as taper into that uppermost branch (now becoming the next trunk segment).

 

[Forrestford]

Dude! Good luck, that thing is nice! hopefully it makes it. Ive always collected them early spring.

 

[Cruiser]

Dude! Good luck, that thing is nice! hopefully it makes it. Ive always collected them early spring.

Thanks. How are yours doing?

 

[Forrestford]

Well, not vine maples but acer rubrum. similar size as yours, They grow like mad. I've been eyeballing a few vine maples around my property. Im excited to see this progression.
I do think the the future you consider chooping little lower. I would just wait to see if it lives...

 

[Forsoothe!]

The diameter is circumference÷π = 4.5"÷3.14=1.43"

 

[Enfield Snapper]

The diameter is circumference÷π = 4.5"÷3.14=1.43"

It looks like it's a diameter tape, not a regular measuring tape.

 

[leatherback]

Alu tape is regularly used by some of our "maple growers" in my club. It works as well as putty, I have noticed. I do not like the look of it which is why I do not use it. But no concern with callus forming: It will.

Let it recover for now. In spring, you might get lucky and a sprout pops on the other side of the same node where the top branch originates. You can eventually reduce the trunk a little further:

 

[Forsoothe!]

Never heard of that!

 

[Cruiser]

It looks like it's a diameter tape, not a regular measuring tape.

Exactly. The other side of the tape gives circumference. I use it for work.

 

[Cruiser]

Well, not vine maples but acer rubrum. similar size as yours, They grow like mad. I've been eyeballing a few vine maples around my property. Im excited to see this progression.
I do think the the future you consider chooping little lower. I would just wait to see if it lives...
View attachment 390365

Red maples are beautiful trees. Love the fall colors! All the big-leaf maples around here just turn yellow…

 

[Cruiser]

Alu tape is regularly used by some of our "maple growers" in my club. It works as well as putty, I have noticed. I do not like the look of it which is why I do not use it. But no concern with callus forming: It will.

Let it recover for now. In spring, you might get lucky and a sprout pops on the other side of the same node where the top branch originates. You can eventually reduce the trunk a little further:

View attachment 390374

Thanks. Good to here that others have had success with the tape. Fingers crossed this one makes it.
There’s another tree like this I might rescue soon. The nebari is better.

 

[0soyoung]

Is there a way to tell the wound is starting to heal underneath the tape? (Without removing it)

The edges will start to rise above the level in the center (which is just wood).

Say, @Cruiser, I was checking on one of my trees today (though a palmatum instead of circinatum). This is the end of a cut branch that I 'sealed' with Elmer's wood glue. See how the edges are now clearly raised by the regrowth lip? I'm hopeful that it will have completely closed by the end of this year, but it will likely take until next for it to 'round off' completely.

 

[Cruiser]

Say, @Cruiser, I was checking on one of my trees today (though a palmatum instead of circinatum). This is the end of a cut branch that I 'sealed' with Elmer's wood glue. See how the edges are now clearly raised by the regrowth lip? I'm hopeful that it will have completely closed by the end of this year, but it will likely take until next for it to 'round off' completely.

View attachment 391910

Yeah, I see what you mean with the edges. Thanks for the reference. Was it cut this season? It seems like good progress.

I checked on the vine maple today. The cut is still pretty flat underneath the tape. All the foliage has dried out but the stems are still healthy looking. Do these look like new buds emerging?