Where To Make Trunk Chop On Maple??

laurengeary

Hi everyone,

I have a red maple that is about 3 yrs old and about 4 feet tall. The base of the trunk is nearly an inch in diameter, so I think it is time to make the first trunk chop. However, that is just my question... Is it time to make the chop?? If it is, where to I chop it off at? I have attached a picture of the tree but I warn you its not great...You cant really see the tree if the whole tree is presented in the picture, so its basically about 2 feet shown. The problem I am having is that the first branches are at a height of about 1 3/4 ft., which is pretty high... Do I cut below the branches and leave just a stick?? Will new branches form?? Thanks for your help!!

Attached Images

maple.jpg (56.9 KB, 191 views)

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FredL

Hi, Lauren.

This tree will sprout just fine from a trunk chop. And, from what I have seen, it should be made alot lower than you probably think.

Have you seen John Naka's "Bonsai Techniques" books? The first volume has some mighty fine information about trunk chopping. If you don't have it, you might want to consider picking up a copy. It really helped me to visualize the whole trunk-development process as it unfolds over several years.

Fred

TreeBay

What variety is it?

There are as many different strategies as growers, but I would let this tree reach at least 1/2 and probably 2/3 of its "finished" thickness (caliper) before you cut it. If it is far from that, you might want to plant it in a growing box or the ground.

Depending on how you intend on styling it, you may want to change the trunk angle. Don't worry about the existing branches unless you have a grafted maple - these originate much too high to be concerned with.

So, you need to decide at some point before cutting it:

What style will this tree be?
How large will this tree be?

You may want to consider subscribing to http://www.bonsaitodayonline.com as there is an interesting article in there about drastic pruning that describes some pruning methodology and reasoning.

If you are a subscriber, the link is here:
Trunk Chop 101 for Deciduous Trees

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laurengeary

Thanks for the tips! The actual variety of this tree is Acer rubrum. I was hoping to create a medium to small-size bonsai from this speciman. The tree is not grafted, so if I do cut it in between the first branches and base how and where do the new shoots develop?? I find it very hard to understand that it will just form new branches probably due to the fact that I am just very paranoid that I will end up killing it

FredL

You will definitely not kill it in this way.

You will probably want to begin creation of a flat, wide root system at the time you chop it, which means cutting the tap root rather high. If you plant the tap root so that the top 1/2" is sticking out of the ground, it will almost certainly sprout and, magically, you will find yourself in possession of two trees instead of one!

Fred

laurengeary

Thank you again! I have just one more question... I have posted another picture of the tree. If I were to cut where the red line is, would new sprouts begin groing from the ones depicted in the higher dark green, the lower light green, or both??

Attached Images

maple.jpg (20.7 KB, 135 views)

TreeBay

Only time and chance will tell. If you cut it flat and clean, and seal it against moisture loss, you have more probability of getting sprouts at the top. It may sprout from the top, middle and or the root crown.

If you examine the trunk carefully, you may see ringed areas or perhaps irregularities that mark the locations of past branching or internodal spacing. Those are the regions where the tree is most likely to bud back. But it really could happen anywhere.

Regards,

Matt

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