Keep it or Cut it?

[Brian Van Fleet]

It's not a graft. I've taken several air layers from this tree, and they all barked up the same way...a little at a time.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Repotted yesterday; went a little light on the roots to avoid dislodging a sketchy thread graft. All Akadama -> All Good.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Update, day and night shots...growing right along.

 

[JudyB]

Is this Deshojo? Whatever it is, the leaf color with the bark color and the pot color is certainly striking.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Is this Deshojo? Whatever it is, the leaf color with the bark color and the pot color is certainly striking.

It's 'Chishio Improved'. The leaves emerge fire-engine red for about 6 weeks, and by mid-May they turn green.

 

[cmeg1]

Looks great.Looks like no more frost started for southeast pa.

 

[JudyB]

It's 'Chishio Improved'. The leaves emerge fire-engine red for about 6 weeks, and by mid-May they turn green.

Amazing .

 

[Nybonsai12]

great shot. best of both worlds twigs and leaves

 

[MACH5]

Lovely bonsai. One of my favorites for sure!

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Update after tidying it up a little...

 

[cmeg1]

Wow,that's killer Brian.Cool pot color.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Quick update after a partial defoliation; removed one leaf of every pair. Took about 2 hours.

 

[JudyB]

That's still got a lot of foliage! Must be very happy this year.

 

[namnhi]

Wish I could keep my Japanese maple leaves in that condition. Not one single leaf burnt in that shallow container. I must have done something wrong on mine.

 

[JudyB]

Wish I could keep my Japanese maple leaves in that condition. Not one single leaf burnt in that shallow container. I must have done something wrong on mine.

Maybe like living in Houston?

 

[GGB]

@JudyB haha burn!
This tree is next level! flipped through all 12 pages in the thread to see it shape up. cool stuff

 

[StoneCloud]

Read the entire thread it has been great seeing this tree progress over 7 years. I'm also happy to see the length of time during your thought process on the direction of the tree.

Now I don't feel like I'm waiting too long when I stall on trees

oh and on too cut or not to cut?

I would NOT have cut the lowest branch on the right, and I would have worked the 2nd trunk as you did. Not that my opinion matters but hey!

Really appreciate you documenting all this, these are the best tools for learning, seeing the progression, cheers man!!!

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

@JudyB haha burn!
This tree is next level! flipped through all 12 pages in the thread to see it shape up. cool stuff

Thanks. 15 years separates these two shots:

 

[GGB]

@Brian Van Fleet Too cool! Makes me feel a lot better about all my little saplings in my grow out bed. Was starting to think maybe I was wasting my time trying to make such young material into anything worth looking at

 

[drew33998]

Update after tidying it up a little...
View attachment 141366

Starting to really ramify. Perfect.