Ueno Yama maple

[b3bowen]

This is an Acer palmatum ‘Ueno Yama’ air layer that I would like some input on. The variety is much like katsura but grows very vigorously and has great twigging. I generally prefer tall thin maples so Im not planning on an aggressive
chop. The lowest branch has been wired up and is just as tall as the central leader to thicken the lowest segment of the trunk further. Current trunk is about 2 inches thick.

Wondering what direction some of you would go.
1. Add/graft some branches go for naturalistic look



2. Change angle, create semi-cascade



3. Cut off all thick branches and go for literati like one inspired by @MACH5

 

[b3bowen]

Also up for other ideas, thanks

 

[bwaynef]

You described it as a vigorous grower. That tells me that maybe literati wouldn't be the best idea. With this material and your penchant for tall and thin, that's how I'd proceed with this material. There's a prominent branch mid-way up that forms a very strong/obvious Y. For just about any style you choose, it needs to be reduced to improve taper ...if not removed altogether.

 

[b3bowen]

I decided to stick with a slender upright plan for this tree. But like I said above, I needed to do some thread grafts for that. This one comes out early, second week of February last year, so I decided to go ahead and do the thread grafts now so that I can use the smallest drillbit possible. I cover the buds with grafting tape to protect them as I pull them through. I also twist up a long segment of the grafting tape to help pull the stem through the trunk. Seal everything at the end.

 

[b3bowen]

Would you separate or leave another season? I would really like to separate if it is safe, but also really don’t want to lose the branch.Clearly it is larger on the outgoing sad to me.

 

[Shibui]

If you can see good callus around the new branch and it is clearly thicker on the out side that would be enough for me to cut.
If in doubt I usually part cut - scrape the bark of half the 'in' side - to reduce flow through the 'in' and encourage even more sap flow from the main trunk. If all looks good complete the cut a few weeks later.

 

[b3bowen]

I have gone towards a tall thin upright tree like option one above. All my thread grafts have taken and large branches removed. Now I will start to develop branches.

 

[SeanS]

Wow, stunning tall tree. I have a similar twin trunk JM, they really are so versatile

 

[rockm]

I have gone towards a tall thin upright tree like option one above. All my thread grafts have taken and large branches removed. Now I will start to develop branches.

View attachment 475702

Nice tree. If this were mine, I'd think about getting rid of the double apex at the very top. I'd opt for the less aggressive left hand branch pruning the other off where they meet and wiring it into a more upright position (doesn't have to be in line with the trunk, would be better if it didn't align completely adding some visual movement. The right hand one is very strong and lacks taper to finish out the image. It just continues the trunk line. The left hand one has more taper and is more appealing. Leaving both will result in competing apexes (apices?) down the road and will create a bushy-looking top to a long lean tree.

 

[b3bowen]

Nice tree. If this were mine, I'd think about getting rid of the double apex at the very top. I'd opt for the less aggressive left hand branch pruning the other off where they meet and wiring it into a more upright position (doesn't have to be in line with the trunk, would be better if it didn't align completely adding some visual movement. The right hand one is very strong and lacks taper to finish out the image. It just continues the trunk line. The left hand one has more taper and is more appealing. Leaving both will result in competing apexes (apices?) down the road and will create a bushy-looking top to a long lean tree.

Thanks, great advice. I completely agree with you. In real life it looks more like a branch than a double apex but I agree with loosing the heavy right side and wiring that side up to create more taper and interest. Thanks again.

 

[b3bowen]

Updated photo with suggestion from @rockm

 

[b3bowen]

New spring leaves.

 

[b3bowen]

Fall looking great.

 

[queenofsheba52]

You've done a great job on this tree!

 

[czaczaja]

Good decision. Making it into a literati in scale would take some time growing it taller as it had a pretty thick trunk. Love the fire red leaves.