Styling my Japanese Maple
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JimLewis
guitarman504
6 posters
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Styling my Japanese Maple
I would love to get some advice on this Japanese Maple. It has beautiful nebari , but unfortunately it grew into a slingshot. I was thinking of doing a drastic trunk chop. Either taking off one side branch or cutting it back to the split. I don't want to kill it. I also thought about doing an air layer of one side or the other before I make the cut. Any ideas on where I should cut and when I should cut? Also because the trunk size is still small I thought about just letting it grow a little larger before I do anything. HELP????? Paul
http://s233.beta.photobucket.com/user/guitarman504/library/Bonsai
guitarman504- Member
Re: Styling my Japanese Maple
I can't tell much from those pictures (which we would prefer be posted directly here), but you will be better off waiting to do anything until later in the spring.
JimLewis- Member
Styling my Japanese Maple
Thanks for the advice, I tried to post the pics directly ,but couldn't figure out how to.
It's all here: https://ibonsaiclub.forumotion.com/t243-tutorial-on-posting-pics
guitarman504- Member
Re: Styling my Japanese Maple
hi,
look for one decent trunk line in the material so the first cut can be the initial split (lose the least inspiring side) then work up the tree to the next fork and loose the worst bit, do this a few more times as there are plenty of splits. this will give an interesting trunk with taper and new branches casn be grown from all the buds that will appear round the cuts. Early spring, seal the cuts etc.
cheers Marcus
look for one decent trunk line in the material so the first cut can be the initial split (lose the least inspiring side) then work up the tree to the next fork and loose the worst bit, do this a few more times as there are plenty of splits. this will give an interesting trunk with taper and new branches casn be grown from all the buds that will appear round the cuts. Early spring, seal the cuts etc.
cheers Marcus
marcus watts- Member
Re: Styling my Japanese Maple
You should be able to find out all you need to know by clicking HEREguitarman504 wrote:Thanks for the advice, I tried to post the pics directly ,but couldn't figure out how to.
fiona- Member
Re: Styling my Japanese Maple
here is my .2 cents on the subject...
first, it might be helpfull to decicide roughly what you want the finished product to be...by that i mean, what size do you want it to be, and the basic style you want it to be...keep in mind that the "style" is largely decided for you, or at the very least limited to just a few options based on the tree
size is actually really important with acers due to the length between internodes, since these are the areas where new buds can form to create branches...and by that i mean, if the length between internodes is say 5-6 inches and you are trying to create a tree that is 1 foot tall, there is no way you are going to be able to get a convincing branch structure without cutting back very hard and re-growing...so, you have to decide not only what you would "like" to do, but also what is possible and efficient to do...
so...my advice is this...look at the tree...from all angles and directions...study the length between internodes (which will vary throughout the trunk and branches) and take note of areas where the internodes are close together vs far apart, and try to picture new branches from those areas...if the decision is that you would like a med/large bonsai, then 1 of the fork branches may very well be used as a sacrfice branch...or, if the goal is a small size, then possibly both of those fork branches may be of good use in a broom style...the point is, study the tree, see what you have, and try to get atleast somewhat of an idea of where you are wanting to take it...
first, it might be helpfull to decicide roughly what you want the finished product to be...by that i mean, what size do you want it to be, and the basic style you want it to be...keep in mind that the "style" is largely decided for you, or at the very least limited to just a few options based on the tree
size is actually really important with acers due to the length between internodes, since these are the areas where new buds can form to create branches...and by that i mean, if the length between internodes is say 5-6 inches and you are trying to create a tree that is 1 foot tall, there is no way you are going to be able to get a convincing branch structure without cutting back very hard and re-growing...so, you have to decide not only what you would "like" to do, but also what is possible and efficient to do...
so...my advice is this...look at the tree...from all angles and directions...study the length between internodes (which will vary throughout the trunk and branches) and take note of areas where the internodes are close together vs far apart, and try to picture new branches from those areas...if the decision is that you would like a med/large bonsai, then 1 of the fork branches may very well be used as a sacrfice branch...or, if the goal is a small size, then possibly both of those fork branches may be of good use in a broom style...the point is, study the tree, see what you have, and try to get atleast somewhat of an idea of where you are wanting to take it...
Just Mike- Member
Re: Styling my Japanese Maple
Keep in mind that when you cut off branches that these maples scar over rather thickly so make sure you make a good concave cut into the trunk.
Twisted Trees- Member
thanks for your help
I just joined here and was surprised at how quickly everyone responded with some great tips and advice. Thank you everyone, it's nice to be able to get help as a novice that's still afraid I might prune too much , or still not sure what to look for when considering a design. You've all been quite helpful.
guitarman504- Member
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