Grafting a Sacrifice Branch

[Justin B]

Pretty new to bonsai but not new to grafting. I've grafted dozens of fruit trees such as apples in the past. I just picked up my first Japanese maple (no clue what the variety is but doesn't matter much to me at this point) and I after sitting with it for a few days I really enjoy the overall branching but I'm not a fan of the taper in the trunk cause there really isn't any. It's probably 2ft tall minus the whip I left to increase the height.

Since there isn't any lower branches that I could use as a sacrifice branch to thicken up the trunk would it be possible to use one of it's own branches to graft lower as a sacrifice branch so I could get more taper into the trunk? I live in Duluth, MN so planting in the ground isn't an option for me sadly.

 

[Grunge_Bonsai]

Since there isn't any lower branches that I could use as a sacrifice branch to thicken up the trunk would it be possible to use one of it's own branches to graft lower as a sacrifice branch so I could get more taper into the trunk?

Can you? Probably, although I have little experience with grafts. I look at that and see the potential for creating a trunk you want from an air layer, possibly on the same timeline with better results?

Just my first thought looking at this. I just layered a cherry tree with a lot of top growth like this, and the taper I have now is way better than it would have been. Maybe someone with graft experience can chime in.

 

[Wood]

Definitely possible, though I'm not entirely sure how advisable it is. A sacrifice branch that's removed completely will leave a scar that takes a long time to fade, plus it probably won't taper much between the nebari and grafted branch, or from the grafted branch to the current first branch. Stacking that onto another colander would let the roots run and develop the nebari faster though

A thread graft is probably preferable to a scion or bud graft. The longer the inserted scion in a thread graft, the faster it'll take

 

[Justin B]

Definitely possible, though I'm not entirely sure how advisable it is. A sacrifice branch that's removed completely will leave a scar that takes a long time to fade, plus it probably won't taper much between the nebari and grafted branch, or from the grafted branch to the current first branch. Stacking that onto another colander would let the roots run and develop the nebari faster though

A thread graft is probably preferable to a scion or bud graft. The longer the inserted scion in a thread graft, the faster it'll take

Thank you! I think I'm leaning away from grafting and thinking that instead I'll size up the pot to try and get more root development and let the canopy grow a bit unchecked to try and thicken the trunk further.

 

[rockm]

Not really sure if I follow. You want to graft a branch from above onto a lower portion of the same tree t increase taper...seems to me that branch above is already thickening the trunk below Grafting a piece of it onto a different part of the tree isn't really going to get you much, might even slow things down a bit. Graft a branch because you need a branch in a new location, not to increase taper.

I'd also get rid of that thick branch that pokes off to the right in the photo and use the upright portion. That thicker branch is taking energy away from the better portion of the tree.

 

[dbonsaiw]

Since there isn't any lower branches that I could use as a sacrifice branch to thicken up the trunk would it be possible to use one of it's own branches to graft lower as a sacrifice branch so I could get more taper into the trunk?

Yes, you can create a sacrifice branch lower down by grafting a branch from higher up.