Rudd’s Japanese Maple #1

[Ruddigger]

Good evolution
On the apex, there is a candelabra shape, with inversion of taper.
..
If it was mine, i would thread graft another apex on a lower section of the trunk (to replace the actual apex). The goal is to get a nice (elegant) apex i the future ->

Thanks Clem. I agree the apex needs to be rebuilt, but I’d prefer to see it come back to the left, instead of further right. My plan is to thread graft a branch where your drawing did, if a bud doesnt pop there, and use a portion of the current apex to build out to the left, while eliminating the forward right apical branch. We’ll see how it grows next year. Illustration below:

 

[namnhi]

Thanks Clem. I agree the apex needs to be rebuilt, but I’d prefer to see it come back to the left, instead of further right. My plan is to thread graft a branch where your drawing did, if a bud doesnt pop there, and use a portion of the current apex to build out to the left, while eliminating the forward right apical branch. We’ll see how it grows next year. Illustration below:
View attachment 578164

The first branch on the right seems to grow up at a much stiffer angle than the rest. This makes it look out of place compared to the rest. Could you cut off the top, the part after the first branch on that branch then graft a new branch in that place?

 

[Ruddigger]

The first branch on the right seems to grow up at a much stiffer angle than the rest. This makes it look out of place compared to the rest. Could you cut off the top, the part after the first branch on that branch then graft a new branch in that place?

I could. I wouldnt even need to graft, I could fill it with other branches. But I kind of like embracing the weird naturalness of it. Maybe I’ll change my mind at some point.

 

[clem]

I could. I wouldnt even need to graft, I could fill it with other branches. But I kind of like embracing the weird naturalness of it. Maybe I’ll change my mind at some point.

+1 I find that this rather large, imposing, and lively branche give it character and a "unique" side. I think it's a good idea to keep it too.
Let's cross fingers for the air layer succes.