Trident Maple Late Spring Prune

[MrG]

Hi all,

Today I acquired a Michael Steinhardt Trident that I’m excited about. While this seems like an obvious question, it’s one of those that I can’t sort out as to what constitutes what type of pruning, so I figured I’d ask you fine folks.

Here’s the tree - obviously the previous owner let it run. I am interested in getting it back into general shape with a few snips. Nothing major, structural, etc..




Is this pruning which would be fine right about now given that the leaves have hardened? Or is this late fall work? I’m it’s taking up an awkward amount of space as is, and actually fell over in a light wind haha. I can obviously anchor it if needed.

Thank you very much in advance for any insights.

All best,
MG

 

[TrimmyWhimmy]

I would prune the top hard to prevent reverse taper and do minimal pruning on the bottom branches. It should keep growing with sunshine and water. Tridents are very vigorous.

 

[Shibui]

You can prune those long branches any time you like.
After leaves harden is a great time to prune. New shoots will only take a week or so to start.
The little I can see through the leaves it looks like some of the branches have long, bare areas? It may pay to cut even further back if that's the case. No point developing great ramification way out at the ends of long branches.

Agree with the harder trim on upper branches and leave lower branches to grow to encourage and thicken those.

Those leaves look very yellow. Possibly the photo but it they really are yellow I'd be feeding this one very well for the rest of the growing season.

 

[MrG]

Thank you all! This is really great to hear and is basically what I was thinking and hoping. I will do it soon.

And @Shibui , this cultivar is quite rare and it is characterized by yellow foliage which transitions to a rich orange throughout the growing season! This is part of why I’m excited about it beyond enjoying the actual tree.

Next year it’ll go in a pot.

Thanks everyone again!

MG

 

[Shibui]

When I could not see any other evidence of deficiency I wondered if it was the normal colour for the variety.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

First - I'd add a little bonsai potting media to the pot to bury those fine surface roots that have been exposed by soil getting washed out. DO NOT REPOT, its the wrong time of year to repot, but do top up the pot again. use a media of similar particle size as what is already present. (I know it sounds complicated, but its not really). As a fall back use a akadama (bonsai media) or a crushed stone grit like a quartzite grit used for adult poultry. (here a Farm & Fleet or a Rural King is a great store to have handy.) Perlite or Pumice would work as alternatives. Key is to get those surface roots covered. They will be important next year when repotting.

Late fall is a good time for structural pruning, but right now you have a lot of foliage being supported by a relatively compact root ball. If you have no problem keeping up with watering, wait until autumn for the hard prune. But if it is difficult keeping up, just do the pruning sooner. you may have to prune again as response might be more coarse than desired, but myself I would prune sooner than later. Just my 2 cents.

By the way this cultivar is a lovely color. Do try to root cuttings, and or make air layers, Possibly make the air layer before doing your pruning this year. its a cultivar worth propagating.

 

[PaulH]

I agree that now is the time to cut back all the upper branches but I think the lower branches should be allowed to grow until they reach proportionate thickness.