Montpeiler Maple

Hey Judy,

Nice progression on the tree. Any new updates? I repotted two of mine from nursery cans into training pots yesterday and will post up some pics later.
 
I've not done anything to it this winter yet, but maybe in the next couple days I'll pull it out to wire. Be interested to see where yours are. They are slow... at least here.
 
I will be carving out the upper interior of the tree more this year. I didn't want to do too much at once... Want it to be super hollow.
 
I got around to wiring this today. It is a challenging tree to grow for sure. It has taught me patience... The wiring came out fairly well with what I have to work with. There are some new buds breaking in the back, so hope to get a branch close to center at some point in the back. Will break out the carving tool on this one in a couple weeks.
P1010632.jpg
 
JudyB said:
I got around to wiring this today. It is a challenging tree to grow for sure. It has taught me patience... The wiring came out fairly well with what I have to work with. There are some new buds breaking in the back, so hope to get a branch close to center at some point in the back. Will break out the carving tool on this one in a couple weeks.
View attachment 99152
Click to expand...
Looks good!!
 
Looking good Juds! Very reminiscent of the Ben Oki hackberry. I think eventually I'd like to see it in a shallower pot.
 
I'm sure it would be fine horticulturally in a shallower pot, I do like the proportions of this pot for some reason with this one. But maybe it's just because I really love the pot. I love that Ben Oki tree, saw it in person once. It's one of my favs. Will be a long long time before it's even close to that one if ever!
 
Well Rome didn't happen in a day but you'll get there. I also do like the pot but for me perhaps a bit too deep for my taste. But it may/will look better once the tree has a fuller canopy. You have done a great job with that trunk!
 
This tree is one of those that you despair of every year of ever becoming something worthy. It is so slow, that it tries the patience. But when it buds out in the spring, it does lift the idea of what is possible... Thanks for the thoughts.
 
Well this tree certainly did well for itself this year. This is the most single season growth I've seen. I wired it out today, no reductions, a few unneeded shoot removals. Starting to look sort of tree-like!
Second photo is the slight angle change that I'll repot to next year, I think just that slight move off the center of the carving is helpful.
P1010771.jpg P1010772.jpg P1010773.jpg
 
Good growing Judy and nice wiring job with good movement on those branches. I think what is throwing me off is the "Y" formation accentuated by the carved trunk. I think both sides have similar visual weight which is creating a somewhat symmetrical design. In my opinion, I think this is your biggest challenge to overcome as you keep moving this tree forward.
 
MACH5 said:
Good growing Judy and nice wiring job with good movement on those branches. I think what is throwing me off is the "Y" formation accentuated by the carved trunk. I think both sides have similar visual weight which is creating a somewhat symmetrical design. In my opinion, I think this is your biggest challenge to overcome as you keep moving this tree forward.
Click to expand...
Yes, I agree that this is the biggest problem. I do have a branch coming on center back (tiny hard to see) so that will help even it out center a bit. I'm planning on growing the left side heavier and lower, and the right side a bit taller. I think also that turning a bit (I'll look and see if it can turn more) will help. I will also carve deeper, wanted to wire first. If the right side is taller, which side visually would want to be carved deeper do you think? My instinct would tell me to carve out the left side much more.
 
Ok good I think you got it! ;)

I will only add that before you do any further carving, sort out your top first and then see what else may you need.
 
I've been looking to the Ben Oki hackberry for some cues on this, but until I get more height, I can't curve the right side over the left any further, to create that symbiosis that is created on that tree. Also will never be able to have that dance between the two sides as low as I'd like, but I think I can make something that feels less U shaped up top, which will help with the Y. Where is Vanna White, I need to buy a vowel...
 
I love it, My only complain is(and agreement with Mach) is the visual weight of each side. Great tree though
 
Wow very cool progression thread to read through :). I love progression pics and talking about the work that went in to it (or reading it, in my situation). Shame it takes 3,4,5,6 etc years to make one lol.
You were so much braver with that carving tool than I could have been been!
Looks great.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Driver170
Japanese maple
Replies
1
Views
116
JudyB
JudyB
Nakajima Bonsai
Japanese Maple Trees
Replies
3
Views
165
Nakajima Bonsai
Nakajima Bonsai
B
Decisions to make with nice trident maple.
Replies
9
Views
395
pandacular
pandacular
B
Back to Bonsai - Trident Maple
Replies
6
Views
290
Smoke
Smoke
A
OMG I need a plan! – Trident Maple
Replies
10
Views
535
Shibui
S
Back
Top Bottom