Gentlemen...
Thank you for the responses.
Ash...
Sharon didn't encourage the die back. She didn't seem sure as to what provoked it either. I too wondered if being root bound may not have had something to do with it, when I first saw the die back. But not knowing the species, does anyone know if they have any kind of tendency towards random die back?
But I confess, there's so much vigor on this tree, I'm not concerned that there's a great danger to the tree. Most of the growth extension all over this tree is a foot long or better. Which surprised Daniel a bit, because he has one of similar size which doesn't push that strong all over as this one has done. Most times on larger specimens I have worked with, if there is a die back due to being root bound, there tends to be overall lower vigor exhibited on the tree.
Spring will tell us what is going on under those lovely roots, because I do plan on repotting it. It's in a mica pot at this moment, and doesn't do anything for it. Ang3l and I were playing with virting a dozen different Dale Cochoy pots under it, and there were a few which were flat amazing with it.
I agree shallower would be nice, or at least something which tricks the mind into thinking it's shallower, if the rootage will not allow for it. Oval might be just the trick for it though...
Barry....
Maybe my first question back should be how drastically you think it should be reduced? Most of the rest of this response is written with the idea of a significant crown reduction... in for a penny... in for a pound kind of thing...
I agree there is potentially something very special that could be achieved in reducing the overall height of the tree. But the flip side to that is that it introduces an element I am not certain I can live with... a chop mark. The fact that there aren't any holds great appeal to me. But if someone virtualed it... I'd love to see what that looks like. I may see if we can't toss that idea around in photoshop this evening as well.
But I love seeing other people's perspectives.
If you had to chose between a potentially better image, and chop marks... how would you approach thinking that through?
There's certainly something to be honored in a tree which is achieved without that methodology (chopping it).
One other thing... It will seem a lot shorter when all the legginess of the growth extension is brought under control. It'll have a lot less visual mass. But I won't remove any of that until November when the tree finally drops it's leaves.
I love naked maples.... and of course, that's when you get to play with all that structure.
Micheal...
Welcome to the forum! And thank you so much for taking the time to write. I am very excited at the notion that you might be able to get me a little bit of the provenance of this tree. Do you think you might be able to show a photo of the tree to this person and confirm if it was his? I would really like to know when the tree was started, and by whom if possible. It's a very credible work that has been done thus far, and knowledge of who's hands have contributed to that, is something I would like to have.
Do you have any bonsai of this particular species yourself? I appreciate the suggestions and the heads up about the potential soil composition. I also appreciate the tidbit on it's habits... and would appreciate any others you may have. Even if it may seem obvious.
Kindest regards to you all,
Victrinia