maple guidance please

[tismeisthatu]

Hello to all,
Although I've been in to bonsai for some time I still class myself as a newbie. This is why I'm asking for some guidance. To me there isn't enough taper in the main trunk. But I dont know how low to chop the trunk to grow the new leader, or whether its feasible to do so. If so is it the right time of year to do it? Should I grow a straight leader to match the main trunk or bend it a little. As you can see I need guidance. Any help would be great help, so thanks in advance. ( please do not worry about affending me or the tree as the tree was a freebie, so it's all a learning curve for me)
Sorry about the pictures I haven't worked out how to get them the right way up!

 

[Bonsai Nut]

I would agree with you that the main trunk does not work for this tree. For a twin trunk maple, you want the trunk split to be as close to the soil line as possible - and as you pointed out, there is little taper in the main trunk.

Have you considered air-layering off the main trunk, and after you remove the air-layer, cutting the main trunk stub completely off? I like the second trunk on its own, and consider that you would have two bonsai to play with instead of one

This is the time to be doing air-layers - early Spring as soon as the buds swell or are just popping.

 

[Poink88]

Consider removing the smaller trunk all together and chopping the main trunk down to half (maybe even less)...or if you want to keep both, chop them both down to half. Look at it from that perspective and see if you like it.

As for timing when to do it...I'll let others respond to that.

And...welcome to B-Nut!!!

 

[tismeisthatu]

I would agree with you that the main trunk does not work for this tree. For a twin trunk maple, you want the trunk split to be as close to the soil line as possible - and as you pointed out, there is little taper in the main trunk.

Have you considered air-layering off the main trunk, and after you remove the air-layer, cutting the main trunk stub completely off? I like the second trunk on its own, and consider that you would have two bonsai to play with instead of one

This is the time to be doing air-layers - early Spring as soon as the buds swell or are just popping.

Thank you for the reply, & actually I have thought about air-layering the main trunk, well both actually & maybe ending up with 3 maple bonsai. I had to do a emergency repot when I got it & I was wondering whether I should leave the air-layering this year & give the tree some time to recover & gather its strength up. What do you think? Thanks again

 

[tismeisthatu]

Consider removing the smaller trunk all together and chopping the main trunk down to half (maybe even less)...or if you want to keep both, chop them both down to half. Look at it from that perspective and see if you like it.

As for timing when to do it...I'll let others respond to that.

And...welcome to B-Nut!!!

Thanks Poink88 for your input, I think I'm going down the air-layer route tho. Thanks for the welcome, I've taken the plunge at last!!!! It's so daunting putting tree's out there for the world to see, when deep down yourself you know that most of the people looking at them wouldn't give the tree the time of day. But we all have to learn some how. Thank you again

 

[mcpesq817]

Have you considered air-layering off the main trunk, and after you remove the air-layer, cutting the main trunk stub completely off? I like the second trunk on its own, and consider that you would have two bonsai to play with instead of one

I echo BNut's suggestion about working with the second trunk. Whether you want to airlayer the first trunk is up to you

 

[Paradox]

Do you guys really think the split is too far from the soil?

I see what IMO could be a beautiful twin trunk maple in the 3rd pic.
If it were mine, I would air layer both trunks.
Id cut the main trunk just above the large branch pointing right. Not sure Id keep that branch or not really and it might be better to cut lower.
Id cut the second trunk about 1/4 of the way up (maybe lower depending on where the latent buds are) and try to build some taper and new trunk angled to the left.

Course I'm a newb so what I see might end up being horrendous in the end. Lol.

 

[lordy]

Have you considered air-layering off the main trunk, and after you remove the air-layer, cutting the main trunk stub completely off? I like the second trunk on its own, and consider that you would have two bonsai to play with instead of one

I like the way the smaller trunk leans and looks better, but taking off the main trunk would leave a permanent reminder the size of 3rd base. Not sure I have a better option, tho. Perhaps something might grow from near the site of the amputation to disguise it. Without that guarantee, I might further investigate the twin trunk option and try to devise a plan to maximize the main trunk and get some taper into it in the future.

 

[tismeisthatu]

Thank you to all that have replied. To be honest, although the feedback has varied there all thoughts/ideas I've had. It's just good to have other people's view's & opinions. As to what I shall do I still have no idea!!!! Could anyone advise me as to whether they think the tree would be healthy enough to air-layer seeing as it's just had a repot! Thanks

 

[tmmason10]

If it is growing vigorously, then an air layer should be ok to try this year. I would however, echo paradoxs view and see if a slanting twin trunk from the third pic would do. Plus, while studying it this year your concerns about the health after repotting and air layering disappear.

 

[Paulpash]

I'd go slanting twin trunk too --- the BIG decision is what branch will form the trunk continuations??? It looks like the thick branch going off the main trunk to the right in the 3rd photo might be too thick to wire up or you could try cutting out a wedge above it with a pull saw then raffia / wire and guy wire to main trunk. The degree of give in acers isn't that high so if it snaps off the node below is a good substitute placement wise (it will just need a few more seasons to achieve the right diameter). I have a similar acer - dead straight main trunk with little taper - might have to bite the bullet and hack it off too

 

[tismeisthatu]

update, bullet bitten!

Hi guys, just a quick update on the maple. I took 2 airlayers this spring, 1 off the main trunk & the 2nd off the side trunk. They seemed to take forever to show some roots, & I eventually cut them off last week. I'm actually very pleased with them. Roots have already started to show through the pond basket I put them in only last sunday. I know the picture of the parent tree is clouded by branches but can anybody give me a idea of where to go with it. I am thinking of trying to bring the top main branch over a little (if possible), to give it the look of taper. I'm thinking twin trunk with a lttle slant. Any advise or virts would be hugely appreciated. Also, is it ok to prune the parent plant now or should I wait until the spring. I can't visualize it while there are so many branches on. Thank you in advance

 

[tismeisthatu]

air layered

Here are the 2 new trees
And here is a healthy new root coming though the pond basket

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

I know the picture of the parent tree is clouded by branches but can anybody give me a idea of where to go with it. I am thinking of trying to bring the top main branch over a little (if possible), to give it the look of taper. I'm thinking twin trunk with a lttle slant. Any advise or virts would be hugely appreciated. Also, is it ok to prune the parent plant now or should I wait until the spring. I can't visualize it while there are so many branches on. Thank you in advance

You'll get better taper and movement if you remove the left trunk.

Wire the first left branch so it's emerging from the outside of the main trunk's first chop,
then wire other main branches so they emerge radially and have their own space.

Then, this winter, paint the trunk with lime-sulfur, diluted with water 1:1 to soften the look of the trunk.

 

[tismeisthatu]

wow

You'll get better taper and movement if you removed the left trunk.

Wire the first right branch so it's emerging from the outside of the main trunk's first chop,
then wire other main branches so they emerge radially and have their own space.

Then, this winter, paint the trunk with lime-sulfur, diluted with water 1:1 to soften the look of the trunk.
View attachment 42107

Brian, thank you so much, that is a great virt. Coming from a bonsai legend that you are I am almost certain to take it on that route. Also you are a wizard on the photoshop. I almost forget there was another branch!!!!

 

[drew33998]

I second Brian's advice. Maybe take another airlayer on the left side then cut off the remnants of the left trunk altogether. I like it better as a single trunk, not sure if I would move the apex back that far to the right though.

 

[drew33998]

Alas I am not a great artist, but I was thinking something like this

 

[tismeisthatu]

Alas I am not a great artist, but I was thinking something like this

View attachment 42117

You know what, I like that also. Many thanks

 

[drew33998]

Either way you have a great piece of material to work with. Looking forward to seeing updates. On the air layers too!

 

[tmmason10]

I'm a little concerned with the dark area at the base of the trunk. Looks very similar to the roti have on my bloodgood. I have a thread here that shows this