Please advise on air layered field maples

[Topfbaum]

Hi, I air-layered two branches from a nice field maple with very small leaves and nice winged bark. The mother tree grows up in the alps, exposed to rough climate changes and lots of UV radiation. The first smaller branch was air-layered over an entire year before separation in 2022, the second, larger branch was separated in 2023 after only 3 months of air-layering. Still, the first tree only establishes very slowly (too little roots yet?). The second already shows nice growth in the first growing season in the pot. What are your thoughts? When would you start working on the trees? My plan is to wait 3 full seasons before doing any styling. But now I am thinking I might need to wait longer with tree 1and could probably start already earlier with tree 2? Please advise. Once in the pot, both air-layers lost the ‘rough bark and small leaf‘ phenotype, but I guess they will develop this again once in smaller pots with more restricted conditions. Also, apologies that the trunk of tree 2 is not well to see, I do not yet have a winter picture.
Thanks for any suggestions!

 

[Topfbaum]

And here are the mother tree with air-layer 1 still attached; the separated air-layer 1 (June 2022); and separated air-layer 2 (August 2023).

 

[leatherback]

I would not count years, but watch the plant.
Start styling after you are getting 50cm extensions on the branches in spring.

This is a field maple with healthy growth:

Defoliated & wired. First buds popping Jun 15th


Ready for light pruning, thinning out & removal of wires, 3 weeks later.

 

[Topfbaum]

reply below

 

[Topfbaum]

I would not count years, but watch the plant.
Start styling after you are getting 50cm extensions on the branches in spring.

This is a field maple with healthy growth:

Defoliated & wired. First buds popping Jun 15th
View attachment 556539

Ready for light pruning, thinning out & removal of wires, 3 weeks later.
View attachment 556540

Thanks! So, I understand tree 1 still has time to go, but I will check the new growth on tree 2 closely next spring.
How long ago did you cut the major trunks on your tree? How long did it take your tree to close the wounds to the current state?

 

[leatherback]

I made poor cuts which are not representable for the species. 5cm branch removals have closed in 2-3 years for me.

 

[Topfbaum]

I made poor cuts which are not representable for the species. 5cm branch removals have closed in 2-3 years for me.

Thanks again, this is very helpful and inspiring! And I like your tree. One last question: how do you protect the ‘bark wings’ when wiring. I noticed they developed quickly on my new branches.

 

[leatherback]

how do you protect the ‘bark wings’ when wiring.

I do not. And I do not generally allow the branches to grow so explosively that clear wings develop. So they are rare, and I do not care for them.

 

[Ininaatigoons]

Are you growing in a decent soil? Are you using any extra help like superthrive or some sort of rooting solution? I wouldn't fertilize until you know you got great roots.

 

[Topfbaum]

Are you growing in a decent soil? Are you using any extra help like superthrive or some sort of rooting solution? I wouldn't fertilize until you know you got great roots.

I used rooting powder for the air layering, but then planted into my bonsai mix, no further fertilizer oder rooting support.

 

[Ininaatigoons]

Using a bonsai mix is perfect! Not cheap, but perfect! So the only thing I could suggest is some sort of added boost. A product that will help the roots establish faster. I love this product called Superthrive. I don't know if it is available to you, but there should be some sort of product that has the vitamins and/or hormones in it that help with root growth. Once again not a fertilizer as that could burn the roots you have.