Shishigashira Maple

[Gr8tfuldad]

So I purchased this tree last fall on clearance. I heeled it into the ground after removing it from the pot. It is currently dormant but buds are swelling. I have a few ideas of what I would like to do but I can’t tell if this tree is grafted?

If it is I could take an air layer of the current tree. If it is not then I can either ramify it as is or take a section from the middle and develop a new leader. Probably the strong lower branch.

What do you think, what would you do here?

 

[Gr8tfuldad]

Bumping because I need help on this one Thank you.

 

[Hack Yeah!]

It looks pretty tall, it is most likely a graft. I'd layer it either way

 

[mook1178]

The very first picture where the grey trunk stops and the green starts above that first bulb is the graft area I would guess

 

[Pitoon]

This is the union on the graft.

 

[Gr8tfuldad]

Thanks guys for the input. So for the first air layer I was thinking of this…

 

[Gr8tfuldad]

This is the union on the graft.

View attachment 477087

That’s one area I thought could be it. It was so low it was making me second guess it.

 

[Pitoon]

That’s one area I thought could be it.

There's only one graft and that's the location.

 

[Gr8tfuldad]

There's only one graft and that's the location.

Like if it was not it, then it was on the other area, the bulge where they removed the large branch. Single trunk, usually one graft I get it

 

[Hack Yeah!]

I'd go higher

 

[BobbyLane]

Thanks guys for the input. So for the first air layer I was thinking of this…

I would go a bit lower. underneath the two branches, theres a tree in there if you like clumps. but maybe you dont like clumps who knows!

 

[Gr8tfuldad]

I'd go higherView attachment 477090

Interesting. There are those handle bars there. I wonder over time if it would look like a triple trunk?

 

[Hack Yeah!]

I'd use those to power the layer, then cut them off next season

 

[BobbyLane]

If you look around you can find similar material here where folk have layered, one I did last year
as you can see the lower trunk is boring and useless, but there is a tree above that.

 

[Gr8tfuldad]

I'd use those to power the layer, then cut them off next season

Can you clarify?

 

[Hack Yeah!]

Can you clarify?

 

[mook1178]

I don't know how but missed the profile pic before...

This space is getting hot!! (~):}

 

[Gr8tfuldad]

You just gotta poke around.

 

[Gr8tfuldad]

I don't know how but missed the profile pic before...

This space is getting hot!! (~):}

You just gotta poke around

 

[Gr8tfuldad]

So just an update, I lost one when the summer temps went into the 90’s. I separated three, one has one lower branch that has buds (thought it was dead but had roots and buds) and two are healthy . So 50% success rate.
The tree gets a decent amount of sun until 2pm where it is currently. Do you think providing shade would help future layering results? Layers were all looking good until the summer heat dried 2 of them. Thank you.