Japanese Maple Removal

[rockm]

You should bury those protruding surface roots under at least two or three inches of soil. If you don't they may dry out and die off, destroying the nebari.

This tree also looks to be grafted. It's a decent graft, but a graft it is--the different colors and texture of the bark at the graft isn't going to go away...

 

[tnaz71]

Here are a few other pictures closer to the trunk area with different angles. I added a few inches of turface to it to cover the roots to help keep them wet.

From what I was told is it is just a plan old Japanese green maple seems weird it would be grafted. It was buried up to about that lower branch so I was thinking that is why the discoloration? I actually had to remove a few small roots from that area when I potted it up.

Anyways thanks all for the suggestions & help! It's much appreciated! I am just going to baby it this year & hopefully it responds well to potted life.

 

[Dav4]

For what it's worth, I don't think your tree is grafted. I'd still lean toward chopping just above the smaller trunk, but you can always wait and ruminate about it while the tree recovers.

 

[tnaz71]

Well, it's been a few years and I have just left this maple to grow and get strong. I think it's time to decide on what needs to be done with it. So I need some help on this matter, an get some feedback. I would be grateful for any help.

Thanks

Here are a few current pictures of the tree.

 

[bonsaiBlake]

thats an awesome looking tree man, im to new to the sport to offer any advice. Looks a little wild but really cool non the less

 

[Dav4]

Ideally, you would have taken pics a few months ago when it was leafless. Any chance you can get more pics against a solid background? Pics of the upper roots would help, too. You will most likely be reducing the trunks from two to one...you want to keep the one that has the best movement, taper and looks good with the rootage.

 

[tnaz71]

Thanks,

I was planning on keeping the smaller branch to become the new trunk. I am sorry for bad pictures, I will get some others but until then on page 2 of this post are some of the tree that may help.

 

[Dav4]

No worries on the pics. If you can take shots from multiple sides...maybe 6...that would be the best way to evaluate the tree.

 

[tnaz71]

Sorry I haven't been able to get some pictures till today. I have a few ideas but not sure if they are the best. First is to just hollow out the larger trunk & possibly integrate the larger low branch into the carving. I know that Japanese maples are really not supposed to be carved per say but I am thinking outside the box.

2nd is to chop the large trunk down and use the smaller branch for the new trunk and grow from there but, it has issues of its own as you can see & then I have to deal with a large scar at the base of the tree.

Another possible way is I can cut the larger trunk below the dead part and start a new leader from there.

Let me know if any of these ideas are viable or if anyone else has suggestions please let me know! I need some advise so I can get her going in the right direction.


Thanks!

 

[tnaz71]

A few more pictures.