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Hi Shifty,

One thing you can do with Japanese maple is deliberately scar them. By "damaging" the green bark, it heals over with a wooded bark, as opposed to the coloured softwood, thereby artificially aging limbs or portions of trunk.

I know John Dixon uses this technique, although I learnt this accidently while having a nightmare wiring the top of a deshojo. I managed to bruise the limb quite badly, and I was really annoyed that I had done it. Within a couple of months, the damage had healed over and with it came a hardwood finish to the bark. See, every cloud has a silver lining - well some do anyway lol.

All the best,

Aaron

PS, If you are going to use this technique, practise on a branch thats going to be removed or on unworthy stock first.

__________________
Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. - Muriel Strode

Vulpes pilum mutat, non mores!

"A fox may change its skin but never its character"

30-Jan-2006	#8
Aaron_K bonsaiTALK Master Chief Join Date: Mar-2004 Country: England USDA Zone: 8 AHS Heat Zone: 2-3 Posts: 1,477	Hi Shifty, One thing you can do with Japanese maple is deliberately scar them. By "damaging" the green bark, it heals over with a wooded bark, as opposed to the coloured softwood, thereby artificially aging limbs or portions of trunk. I know John Dixon uses this technique, although I learnt this accidently while having a nightmare wiring the top of a deshojo. I managed to bruise the limb quite badly, and I was really annoyed that I had done it. Within a couple of months, the damage had healed over and with it came a hardwood finish to the bark. See, every cloud has a silver lining - well some do anyway lol. All the best, Aaron PS, If you are going to use this technique, practise on a branch thats going to be removed or on unworthy stock first. __________________ Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. - Muriel Strode Vulpes pilum mutat, non mores! "A fox may change its skin but never its character"