maple with some potential?

[rockm]

"Which would also shorten the tree, and make the gnarly part even more dominant. Good idea, do you think I could get away with doing it this year? I just repotted it last week, so would have to drag it back out, as It'd need to go into a deeper pot to work it."

I don't know. Might be possible depending on how much root you removed at repotting. To ground layer, you can basically mound soil up a little above where you want the new roots after wounding the trunk a a few places. It's not as stressful as air layering...

 

[coh]

Tough to be sure without seeing the tree in person, but my impression from the photos is that I'd chose to eliminate that gap, either by layering or just burying the tree deeper and maybe grafting on some roots and gradually eliminating the lower roots. I haven't actually done either of these on any trees so I don't know how long it would take to create the desired surface roots.

However, I agree that it would help focus attention on the trunk.

 

[Neli]

Love your tree Judy, And hope it will bring you lots of happiness while working on it...
I am a newbie so I just lurk...I believe newbies are not supposed to be heard much on this forum?????
If I was allowed to comment maybe I would have thought of chopping it the way You did...looks much better now...That long straight top part was little bit not OK...(too straight and distracting)
Now it looks perfect...There are some sights showing root grafting...They do it a lot on maples.
They do it to create those Japanese style nebari...the flat fused ones...
Good luck and keep us updated.

 

[JudyB]

going shorter...

I'm now decided on ground layering this just above the hole in the trunk. Don't know if I should let the tree build up it's branching and do it next year, or if it could still be done this year.
Stick will be the new soil line, I think it's the only way to go.

 

[Martin Sweeney]

Judy,

Your thought of creating a new root base above the split trunk makes sense. I have never done a ground layer, but have always had the best results with airlayers when the tree had rapid growth. If you think you can get sufficient growth from the tree this year, then go for it. Waiting a year to let the tree recover from what has already been done probably would be prudent.

If you wait, you may want to consider slip potting the tree to a larger pot next year to increase the potential for rapid growth.

Regards,
Martin

 

[davetree]

I am ground layering a trident this spring. I let it pump up the last half of last year. The more leaves and energy your tree has, the more roots it will throw. I would let your tree grow strongly this year and layer next spring. Gary Wood does ground layers in early spring before the leaves open.

 

[JudyB]

If you wait, you may want to consider slip potting the tree to a larger pot next year to increase the potential for rapid growth.

Sounds like a great idea. Thanks Martin!

 

[JudyB]

I am ground layering a trident this spring. I let it pump up the last half of last year. The more leaves and energy your tree has, the more roots it will throw. I would let your tree grow strongly this year and layer next spring. Gary Wood does ground layers in early spring before the leaves open.

I think that my head was telling me this too, just didn't want to waste a year if it was not necessary. I'll slip pot, and grow the pants off of it this year.

Early spring, but after the buds move - yes?
I would think it would be best at the same time as potting. (but I could be wrong...)

 

[Paulpash]

Smoke's trident chronicle where he ground layered to get better nebari... looks like he cuts little windows / slots where he wants roots to pop (see bottom of pg 1):

http://bonsainut.com/forums/showthread.php?3149-Trident-maples-a-chronical

 

[zachkent29]

And this one...

 

[JudyB]

You've done a good job with the branching so far on this. Do you think that you'll layer it? I never could decide....

 

[zachkent29]

You've done a good job with the branching so far on this. Do you think that you'll layer it? I never could decide....

At least for the time being, I have decided not to air layer. I think the unusual base goes with the unusual deadwood and both appeal to me. During winter I'll really sit and try and figure this one out.

It needs a better pot as well, this is just a cheap mass produced pot.