Suggestions on Styling Trident Maple

[99 Mile Creek]

I’m not sure where to go with this one. When it arrived to me last year, it was root bound—discovered after I wired it. Not sure what I was going for, but it needed repotting more than anything else and has been left alone to recover.

This year I’d like to do something with it. Any tips on styling?

EDIT: Originally made a post about this and accidentally identifying this as a JM. Have requested the former post be removed. Sorry for duplicate posts/confusion.

 

[JudyB]

If you could take the pictures from lower, like straight across the pot, it'll make advice easier. Looks to me like #1 is your front, and I'd look at a double trunk at this point.

 

[99 Mile Creek]

If you could take the pictures from lower, like straight across the pot, it'll make advice easier. Looks to me like #1 is your front, and I'd look at a double trunk at this point.

I agree with #1 being the front. I was hesitant to lop off the second trunk just in case this were an option. Glad I held off.

I'll take a few more photos now.

 

[99 Mile Creek]

 

[99 Mile Creek]

Other angles.

 

[JudyB]

I would think about putting it in a wider container and working the root structure as soon as possible. The roots take a long time to develop, so best start that early on. Maybe think about the board under the tree technique. The base has a nice shape, and where the second trunk come out also has a nice shape, but you’ll have to cut it down to get some taper and movement in both the main and secondary trunk.

 

[99 Mile Creek]

I would think about putting it in a wider container and working the root structure as soon as possible. The roots take a long time to develop, so best start that early on. Maybe think about the board under the tree technique. The base has a nice shape, and where the second trunk come out also has a nice shape, but you’ll have to cut it down to get some taper and movement in both the main and secondary trunk.

So no chopping this year? You'd recommend repotting and boarding?

Also, the nabari above the soil doesn't really connect to the roots below. I was barely able to fit the tree in this pot due to the depth of the nabari beneath the nabari, if that makes sense. It looks like two layers thick set of nabari atop each other. Maybe someone air layered this in the past and something didn't work out? The nabari below the trunk is still very much alive, though 'cosmetic'.

I'm not sure about this one.

 

[99 Mile Creek]

I would think about putting it in a wider container and working the root structure as soon as possible. The roots take a long time to develop, so best start that early on. Maybe think about the board under the tree technique. The base has a nice shape, and where the second trunk come out also has a nice shape, but you’ll have to cut it down to get some taper and movement in both the main and secondary trunk.

Here is a really bad drawing of what I’m talking about.

 

[JudyB]

Tridents do handle root work really well, so you should think about cutting off the old underneath roots. Those happen when nurseries up pot the tree and it grows new roots at the surface. If the top set of roots is strong, no reason you will have a problem getting rid of the lower section. You could also do a chop at the same time on one of the trunks. I’d probably do the rootwork get it on a board, maybe even do some root grafting while you’re in there and chop down the secondary trunk, just don’t go too far down, wait to see what old buds pop on it before you decide where to take it.

 

[99 Mile Creek]

Sounds like a plan. I'll need to look into root grafting. Thanks for the insight, this helps give me some direction.

Now to find a bonsai pot large enough... This was the largest I could find locally.

Thanks again!

 

[JudyB]

Sounds like a plan. I'll need to look into root grafting. Thanks for the insight, this helps give me some direction.

Now to find a bonsai pot large enough... This was the largest I could find locally.

Thanks again!

Anderson flats work great as well as self built grow boxes if you don’t want to spend a pile of money on an actual pot.

 

[99 Mile Creek]

Anderson flats work great as well as self built grow boxes if you don’t want to spend a pile of money on an actual pot.

I think the Anderson flat is a great idea. Thanks!