Total newbie here. I went to bonsai in the Blue Ridge today with the goal of finding a maple I could work on. I chose this one because I thought the trunk was cool, but now I realize it’s maybe not the greatest for a bonsai, but as I said I’m new at this! Should I trunk chop it in the fall? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Pictures below…
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I would embrace the trunk. I would plan to chop it around the top of the picture as well as shorten the branches to build a small tree with lots of movement.
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I think that is what I will do, embrace the curves!
Thank you for the input. I’ll chop the top off in the fall, is that correct? I’ve seen differing posts on when to chop a larger branch/trunk.
If you cut in the fall you need to allow for die back over the winter. If your winters are severe and the tree gets minimal protection, then you need to leave a long stub. I often cut back the long extensions leaving a very long stub so it fits better in my winter storage with the plan to cut back further in the spring.
I find it safer to do the cut back close to final length in the late winter before the tree starts to push, but after the coldest weather is over. One trick I use is to wrap a bright colored pipe cleaner around the branch at the proposed cut point to remind me to cut it in late winter.
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It’s a bit hard to tell from this angle, But ultimately chopping the truck either just above where the first branch to the right or just above where the next branch that goes to the left come off seem to be your options. Either way you need to cut it high enough to allow for die back. I’d let it grow for now and wait until early spring to cut it back.
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Just a thought, working as an arborist in the Northeast: the amount of anthracnose I’ve run into this year has made me change my timing on maples. With how wet our falls and winters have been, I’m moving away from fall pruning and waiting until later in the dormant season. For both trees in pots and the ground
Not saying that’s the right call for everyone, but I figured it was worth mentioning since I’ve seen enough of it this year to make me reconsider my own practices.
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Great advise! I’m in the mountains on NC and I believe the winter is going to be wet, so late winter it is. Thanks again.
Thanks for the reply, and advise. I think I’m leaning towards the lower branch chop, but I have all summer to ponder!
Kristina,
You’re talking about chopping just above the branch that goes to the right, correct? If so, I think that’s the move that I would favor. I think that it could turn into a very interesting tree..
Rick
Someone replied to your post.
| Khornsby
June 9 |
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Thanks for the reply, and advise. I think I’m leaning towards the lower branch chop, but I have all summer to ponder!
If I am understanding correctly you are pondering hopping the lower left branch. I would NOT I would actually make that my new leader. With a slight angle change the lower left branch gives you an amazing transition of taper and the same nice movement. Air layer the portion of the trunk above the left branch and you got two gnarly trunk maples
I think you first need to confirm the front and line base to tip and first thing the tree is very vertical coming out of soil so position needs to be changed. Once you have the correct front base to tip and angle then you can think how to prune. Maybe once you find the best design you won’t want to remove anything
Looking at photo, the root is directly in the face of viewer. That is inappropriate as well