I would really appreciate ideas.

[unome]

Hi all,

My Name is Lance and I'm new pretty new to Bonsai and this is my 1st post. I have obtained a ton of great information from the site so thanks to all. So, I was given this Maple. A big root had pushed through the pot and was in the ground. The nebari is huge but one root goes over the top of others. There is real deadwood on this tree. I really want to train into a Bonsai but should I? Or should I just leave it more for landscaping? I vote Bonsai. Can I please get some guidance? I would really appreciate it.

Let me know if need more pic. Thank you

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

I personally would not use this for bonsai.
There is a nebari but it's mostly fat roots, so you will probably need to adjust that. Half of the trunk is dead, which is also hard to correct.

So yes, the tree has character! But not a character I would consider fitting for a maple. I see no parts that I would think are worth air layering.

If you do air layer some branches off, I think those would take as much time to develop as the mother tree would take to be corrected.
So I would do that. It's good practice!

Keep in mind that it's just my opinion, and I don't really like maples. Maybe others have a more supportive way of thinking ;-)

 

[JudyB]

Looks like the 5th pic would have some potential, but hard to tell from just the overhead shots. The crossing root would have to go, and the tree would need to have a lot of root work done as well as working on healing the scars. Maples are generally made as smooth scarless trees, but some are also made as wild things. Would be a good tree maybe to practice on and learn techniques like chopping and growing and wiring. I would get it out of nursery pot this spring and put in an anderson flat or training box. Just know it will take some time to recover.

 

[Tieball]

I would leave it in the woods or landscape and let it grow. You can always try to prune and shape the tree while it grows in the ground.

 

[unome]

Thank you all for your input i really appreciate it. I think I will just put in training pot, since I rent and not own and maybe just try and make it look nicer and not worry about Bonsai for this one. Thanks again..

 

[Mike Westervelt]

The growth habit makes me think it's a weeping variety which likely means it's a dissectum 0r laceleaf which aren't generally considered ideal for bonsai.

 

[BrightsideB]

Since you are a beginner you can use it as practice. Buying good pre bonsai material isn’t cheap and it is good to have some practice before buying some good material. Maybe go through the process of repotting it like you said and keeping it alive. I think it will be happy to get that. Maybe bury some of those roots some as well. Even if it’s not a great bonsai specimen it will still look good. I would refrain from doing major chops and let it regain vigor. It will help with the wounds it’s trying to heal.

 

[KikurageOtomo]

The growth habit makes me think it's a weeping variety which likely means it's a dissectum 0r laceleaf which aren't generally considered ideal for bonsai.

Great information for the OP to have, though for the sake of clarity there are several weeping varieties that aren't dissectum or laceleaf such as Rikuzen shidare. It's certanially a challenging piece of material, but I do believe given enough time to bring its profile back in and reduce the undesirable aspects that It could become a nice bonsai. It will require a fair amount of patience because the problematic areas do contain pretty significant flaws that will require covalescence inbetween, but every correction and technique this plant necessitates has been catalogued in incredible detail by previous practitioners.

 

[JackHammer]

This is a personal opinion but I think the "rules" of bonsai are generally very strict and can prevent someone from creating a masterpiece. This is actually a thing in Japan. People follow a formula and it makes the trees look alike. Bonsai is art. Make art. Yes, there are conventions but, at the end of the day, it is about creating a truly exquisite piece of art.

Maples grow very fast which is great. If you want to follow the rules, chop the toe root, and cut back the deadwood to the first node or do a trunk chop. Keep an eye out because those things could create reverse taper. Repot in an Anderson flat with pumice and probably something organic. If you want to make art, wire it up however you like. Turn it on its side or make it into a cascade. It could be awesome.

Most importantly - don't let strangers talk you out of doing something cool because it doesn't fit convention.

 

[19Mateo83]

Most importantly - don't let strangers talk you out of doing something cool because it doesn't fit convention

This is quote worthy right here, great advice too.

 

[Shibui]

Dead wood on maples is traditionally a no-no but more and more western growers are trying new ideas. I've seen some great hollow trunk deciduous trees and even have some maple bonsai with shari and hollowed trunks so don't discount dead wood on maple just because of traditional views.

Current roots are not my idea of great nebari but a good start and there's plenty of techniques to correct rootage if you have the time.
Definitely plant deeper so new roots can emerge. Encourage new roots by layering existing thick roots, removing poor roots, root prune all down roots really hard.
I'd be trying a severe root prune this spring to get started and to get a feel for that process. Deal with the top if/when it recovers from root pruning.

 

[RobC]

the green bark on the trunk seems different from the top. it suggests a high graft like on most weeping maples i've seen from nurseries. the rootstock might be a standard JM more suitable for bonsai.

 

[dbonsaiw]

Bonsai is a mix of so many disciplines. And choosing material to work with is an important one. There's really no way for you to know what's worth working with yet. You just have to keep at it and figure out what kind of material is worth your time and effort. You will get material that you later decide wasn't worth the time. And there will be lots of trees for you to mangle and kill.

My vote goes to you working the tree. Lop off the circling roots and observe what happens. Do other work - you're going to need a guinea pig to practice on.

And bonsai are like potato chips - you can't have just one!