Acer Palmatum

TreeBay

This one is hard to see, and some of the grafts get harder to spot over time. Occasionally there is a difference in the growth rates of the two trees, or a texture difference in the bark, and it is more obvious.

I have a Shishigashira (Lion's Head Maple) that is pretty nice other than the graft line having a

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appearance right at the union. It's fine on either side.

Regards,

Matt

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treenut

Then why bother, the time it takes to correct this tree would be better spent on a sapling that is still flexible enough to have it's roots trained into something more appealing, and the trunk chopped to give it some shape.
If it was a four inch thick trunk of a twenty year old tree with wild branching and trunk movement then maybe root work could be justified but I'm afraid it's into the chipper with this one.

Rene_Voortwist

Treenut,

You may be right, but I will learn how to correct roots in the process. Apart from that, if I should decide to not make a bonsai out of it it will end up in my garden as an ornamental shrub as Matt suggested instead of in the chipper.

regards, René

Whimsical

While I agree that this tree will probably never be a showable tree, I think you guys are way off base on this one. From an advanced artist's standpoint this tree is a waste of time. But, from a novice's view, this tree offers many experaments and lessons to be learned in roots, ramification, trunk chopping, etc. But, I do agree that tree should be in atleast 4 or 5 gallons of soil, and not in a bonsai pot. Just my viewpoint from somewhere inbetween. I still have some trees that will never be anything stunning that I work with for practice. I'd rather make a mistake on those, then a tree that had great potential.

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TreeBay

You should be more specific, Whimsical.

Which guys? Which point(s) or conclusion(s) are off base? That it doesn't have key qualities or that it wouldn't improve in a bonsai pot? That it's grafted? That the roots are "absolutely disgusting?" That it "belongs in the chipper?" That "it is perfectly feasible to develop this tree into a credible bonsai?"

Seems there is plenty here to agree (or disagree) with, depending on your point of view.

Regards,

Matt

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Whimsical

Sorry, I thought I was more concise with that. I am saying that to tell someone to just throw away a tree, because it serves no purpose is incorrect. This tree can serve him much purpose in experience and learning without fear of mistakes. I have been growing bonsai for about 5/6 years now. And, I'm still reluctant and scared to do things to my trees that have potential. Trees like this will allow him to work on his wiring, pruning, root, work without much fear. I read somewhere a few years ago, where the writer's opinion was that owning more trees in the beginning years of bonsai would proportionately excellerate the learning, by shortening the time it requires to make mistakes and learn techniques. I think this is laterally the same principle.

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