GGB
Masterpiece
Always heard he was the authority on Red Maple but I've only ever seen small grainy photos of his stuff. in my mind he's some kind of ruburm wizard.
gnarly red maple
- Thread starter ForrestW
- Start date
it is worth your time and effort!
ForrestW
Mame
No real work yet-- just let it grow for year #1. I pruned it back to 2 sets of buds with the intention of cutting it back to the first set and wiring them in late May next year but keeping the first main ones to run (likely with longer internodes) for a few months in the spring.
Orion_metalhead
Masterpiece
How big is the tree?
Orion_metalhead
Masterpiece
Remember like... 4 or 5 years ago everyone saying rubrum make shit bonsai? lol.
Shogun610
Masterpiece
Oh I’ll come pick this up Wednesday, just lmk when and price thanks
The Barber
Chumono
I have a few red maples I collected last year...this makes me want to go much bigger.
That beast has to have a 10 inch base?
That beast has to have a 10 inch base?
ForrestW
Mame
Depending on the front you pick-- it has interest all the way around. It ranges from about 6-9" with the exposed root 9-12"
Real close-- depending on the view..
Bonsai Nut
Nuttier than your average Nut
Depends where you get them, and who does the work
I've gotten some out of the mountains that I am growing out that have very small leaves.
ForrestW
Mame
I would have to say over the years I have been back and forth on red maples.
But seeing folks on this site, as well as some really well developed ones with a lot of years of work I think I am sold that they can make excellent bonsai. The Curators Journal has had some articles on these trees and their history, but these are some really well developed ones.
Here are some Red Maples that just lost their leaves that are home grown at the NC Arboretum.
ForrestW
Mame
Ha
I have not even had time to play with this one yet... but... if you need a price. 
Orion_metalhead
Masterpiece
Internodes are too long! Petioles out of proportion! Need to be a massive size tree to look good! Lets see some of yours B! The more examples the better.Depends where you get them, and who does the work
Time to end the argument. They are obviously a great species. The examples above along with @ABCarve's rubrum should give everyone a reason to work with this great native species.
ForrestW
Mame
Here is a red maple that is in the collection of Micheal Hagedorn right now. He has written about it in his blog not too long ago but over the years the leaves have really reduced and the internodes as well. (but still a very long time to ramify compared to other species)
Shogun610
Masterpiece
Dm me lolHa
View attachment 575433
Wood
Chumono
This one was at the Pacific Bonsai Expo and was looking really good in silhouette. Well matched to the pot for sure
BonsaiPoppie
Mame
Very nice. Living in an area that is not hospitable to Maples, I am jealous.
19Mateo83
Masterpiece
Being a NC native, there is something to the red maples that grow in the higher elevations. It’s the only place I ever see that Snow White bark on Rubrums. They tend to be more gray colored bark in the lower elevations. This is a great example of a NC mountain maple. Thank you for sharing!
