Keep it or Cut it?

[JudyB]

Many times, but it would destroy the tree and take the rest of my life to heal and remake. It’s a much larger part of the tree than it appears from the front...and frankly, much less obtrusive in person than the photos depict. It makes up everything you see below either side of my hand, and outlined in red:
View attachment 248539View attachment 248540View attachment 248541
If anything, the tree could be rotated counter-clockwise a bit to hide the straight “stalk”, but that front is rather dull.

It is so interesting that pictures sometimes accentuate the flaws that really do not stand out so much in person. I find it to be true almost all the time.
This tree is looking so stately, nice the little bits of red and coloration.

 

[Mellow Mullet]

It is so interesting that pictures sometimes accentuate the flaws that really do not stand out so much in person. I find it to be true almost all the time.
This tree is looking so stately, nice the little bits of red and coloration.

I have seen this tree in person, and it is beautiful. You don't even notice the branch! It is also a much larger tree than you would expect, at least for me it was.

 

[DayDrunk]

Threads like this should be required reading for anyone new to the world of bonsai. Nothing shows the multitude of difficult decisions to be made along with the time commitment and patience required to grow such quality trees as these progression threads. Feels like I just gained a decades worth of knowledge in the couple hours I spent reading through all of this.

Many thanks for keeping this going and congrats on a truly outstanding tree!

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Threads like this should be required reading for anyone new to the world of bonsai. Nothing shows the multitude of difficult decisions to be made along with the time commitment and patience required to grow such quality trees as these progression threads. Feels like I just gained a decades worth of knowledge in the couple hours I spent reading through all of this.

Many thanks for keeping this going and congrats on a truly outstanding tree!

Thanks. Sure it’s not the booze talking? It is daytime..

 

[DayDrunk]

Ha, must have been. Where’d all that sappy mushy gushy talk come from???

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Nearly 4 weeks after the partial defoliation, lots of bright red new buds are developing in the interior:

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

I did some much-needed bonsai work over Thanksgiving break, including pruning and wiring this J Maple. Here is a before-after shot.

 

[Gary McCarthy]

I did some much-needed bonsai work over Thanksgiving break, including pruning and wiring this J Maple. Here is a before-after shot.
View attachment 273076

Looks like you really thinned it out. I LIKE IT!!!

 

[mach6]

love this tree!

 

[leatherback]

Nice one.

Looks like most of the thinning was done in the upper half of the canopy, and you left most of the branches lower down, and just repositioned them there. Is this correct?

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Nice one.

Looks like most of the thinning was done in the upper half of the canopy, and you left most of the branches lower down, and just repositioned them there. Is this correct?

No, it was pruned pretty heavily everywhere to balance it out.

 

[james]

This is a very nice tree. I have followed it for several years with enjoyment. Without leaves, the lower back and right branch remains problematic (to me) with the overall image of the tree you have worked so diligently on. Please don't be offended by the constructive criticism below.

The right back branch runs parallel to the trunk doesn't flow with the remainder of the tree, it emerges upward, with abrupt outward turn. This isn't a second trunk, but emerges as one. I recognize it fills a space at bottom/back of tree. Cut off and build a new branch, graft? In the end, tree may appear more elegant?

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

This is a very nice tree. I have followed it for several years with enjoyment. Without leaves, the lower back and right branch remains problematic (to me) with the overall image of the tree you have worked so diligently on. Please don't be offended by the constructive criticism below.

The right back branch runs parallel to the trunk doesn't flow with the remainder of the tree, it emerges upward, with abrupt outward turn. This isn't a second trunk, but emerges as one. I recognize it fills a space at bottom/back of tree. Cut off and build a new branch, graft? In the end, tree may appear more elegant?

Thanks for your comments. I am working to replace that branch with others, and reducing it slowly over time, since it’s such a big part of the back of the tree.

 

[PeaceLoveBonsai]

I did some much-needed bonsai work over Thanksgiving break, including pruning and wiring this J Maple. Here is a before-after shot.
View attachment 273076

Nice work, looking good. Although I’m surprised you didn’t take it up to Bjorn’s and just hedge prune it.

 

[anily]

You can see draft plan for your tree which i add and cut branches
Green drawings are drill grafting from opposite side branch. If you don't know how to do drill grafting you can wait branches.
I removed the branches growing directly up.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Chishio J maple, Yamaaki pot. After partial defoliation, and some resulting new growth. See the lizard?

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Repotted today. The nebari is starting to spread out nicely. One day I’ll be able to expose a pretty wide base.

 

[barrosinc]

wow! that nebari is looking awesome!
Such methodical good work is paying off

 

[KiwiPlantGuy]

Hi,
Looks like your thread graft has taken? What are your plans for treating the grafted branch? Thicken?Start ramification ? I have no idea so am fishing to understand better.
Charles

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Hi,
Looks like your thread graft has taken? What are your plans for treating the grafted branch? Thicken?Start ramification ? I have no idea so am fishing to understand better.
Charles

It has taken. Right now, it’s being allowed to grow to strengthen, and I’ll train some interior buds into secondaries, and later cut back to them.