Are these Acers worth digging up.

I would like some input as to whether any one thinks these acers are worth making into bonsai. I have been offered them to dig up and i think they are palmatum.

I am slowly running out of energy ,space and time . Are they worth it.

I cut one down hard last year and experienced half the trunk dying back. Do I seal the big cuts.
Any advice on where to cut and best way for them to survive and thrive will be appreciated.

I did think of trying to get them out and keep them big and use them for airlayers as i dont expect the nebaris to be very good.
Acer1





Acer2



Acer3



Here are a couple more i can have ,what do you think.



Last one

I'd say the palmatums are definitely worth digging, chopping, sealing. Not as sure about the Abies/Piceas? There's a good thickness of trunk. If you have the space and patience, the airlayering and regrowing may be worthwhile.

Not having much space maybe i will chop and dig two of the acers and keep one a bit bigger for airlayers.
The last acer has some goog pieces on the top for airlayers.

The last two are really just afterthought and i didn't really think i would have the energy for them.

Hi Smithy

I would definitely dig Acer 1. It could make a nice multi trunk/clump style.

I Like the 3rd one for the movement of the trunk all have pretty good trunks just need branching.happy growing !!! JOHN,, Post pics please.

I have made my mind up and 1 is going to be a multi trunk like Jaco suggested. 2 I am going to cut down to a small stump and see if i can make another multi trunk and 3 is going to be a bigger garden tree for my front garden. Like John says it has a nice trunk so I am going to cut all the branches off and start again. I've given up with the idea of air layers as i have far too many trees now and i keep bringing them home so why make more.

G'day Smithy...

"space" and "patience" are the key words my friend...

Pat…mounted on my trusted stead, riding off wildly in all directions

bonsaistud wrote:G'day Smithy...

"space" and "patience" are the key words my friend...

Pat…mounted on my trusted stead, riding off wildly in all directions

Over the years i've been getting more of the patience and less of the space. one day maybe I will achieve balance. Then the third dimension kicks in 'time'.

YES! Dig em up. Your bound to use them for something. Even if its just learning.

Well I dug up the Acers today. As always you don't always end up with the plan you had for things.

This is Acer 1. The roots were a lot further down in the ground like a lot of garden plants, so a multi trunk was out of the question. This is what i have ended up with.

startings of a fairly nice base there was there a big tap root or?

Well no multi trunk but you do have a pretty nice root spread there

No not a big tap root . Afew medium size ones. I will just sit and hope for life.

i collected a smimlar size palmatem this size when hardly any roots and it survived

Looks very good Smithy. Is this one straight palmatum? they seem a lot more resistant to drastic pruning. Rooting will not be a problem.

Don't want to jinx anything Smithy, but I'm almost certain that will do well. Watch those few fine hair roots though. If they survive, they can thicken rapidly and can end up scarring the thicker roots below. I'd cut all of them and that ugly upstanding one off, after the first flush of leaves has hardened.

I think they are all straight palmatums. I only visited this garden a few times so i can't remember.

Here is Acer 2. It was pretty straight with a big v,so i have gone for this. a taller slender tree which could end up a garden tree.

Kev Bailey wrote:Don't want to jinx anything Smithy, but I'm almost certain that will do well. Watch those few fine hair roots though. If they survive, they can thicken rapidly and can end up scarring the thicker roots below. I'd cut all of them and that ugly upstanding one off, after the first flush of leaves has hardened.

I will do that with the roots. Thanks for that.

I think you need to reduce this one drastically. The taper and movement are poor but you could create a great shohin. I have reduced palmatum's in this way with no ill effects. Both these trees have promising roots

I originally was going to cut this even smaller than you suggest. I thought I would make use of the trunk as i don't get given acer trunks . It has got a little bit of movement in real life. I shall go and look again tomorrow at it and see if I change my mind.

If you cut slightly high and then reduce when new buds/ branches have formed, you wont go wrong.

This is Acer 1. I'm pleased with this.

Excellent root flair for a newly collected tree. this is the most important aspect of bonsai. Start with a good bole, good taper and the rest is easy. Very good time to leaf prune and wire for future structure in trunk line and branching.

Do you think i should get on with that now ? I had thought of just letting it grow this year without touching it and then just cut it back next year.

Your Acer is growing strongly Smithy. No reason why you can't start now.