Design feed back on my japanese maple

GraemeK

Hi,

Here is a picture of a japanese maple i bought last year....if anyone has any useful comments on it or possible visuals...i know the branches need thickening!

Thanks

Graeme.

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www.tdi-tuning.co.uk - Increasing Diesel Performance

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TreeBay

You have a very nice tree here. The taper and movement are very good. The following are just suggestions with respect to branch development.

Think of the branch position as it corresponds to trunk movement. Each time the trunk changes direction, it is a logical opportunity to place a branch on the outside of that curve.

In the diagram below, I have sketched out a possible branch arrangement for this tree.

Beginning with the first branch A on the left, the branch you have started is in a very good position. It just needs some time to develop. You will probably want to let a portion of this branch grow out some to thicken it as it is the "oldest" branch on the tree.

Branch B appears to be in a logical position to use as a back branch. It's a little hard to tell if it is in fact emerging from the back or the top of that trunk, but it looks good as well.

Branch C, the one on the right needs to be selected and developed. There is too much going on in this area, and the front branching is confusing things. You don't really need any front branches except on the top 1/3 of this tree.

Branch D was developed too quickly and it is coarse with long internodes. It appears you have a small one in front which could be used to replace it. It's a shame, but this branch will probably never look good. However, you could try taking a branch splitter to it and split it along its length to try to get some movement in it. That might be worthwhile for the experience, but if it were me, I think I would probably bite the bullet and cut it off now. You can leave a node at the base and see if it grows out well.

Branch E is looking pretty thick, so you will want to control its growth. I'm talking about the back branch. The vertical antenna in front of it here needs to go right away.

Branch F Looks pretty good, but it may be thick? Don't let the internodes get too long and keep the load on this branch light or it will overpower the trunk

The apex of the tree needs to be brought back over the root base somewhat. There are very nice curves all the way up to the apex, and now there is a straight portion from F upward.

I've drawn this with more movement, which could be achieved by wiring or bending, or perhaps just a 1/4 twist of the apex branch. It might be necessary to use a pair of branch splitters to make this branch pliable enough to bend.

You have a great start here. It will be fun to refine and display this tree.

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eric

Very nice tree, and veryyyyy nice pot too.
I think Matt is right, it would need a few thicker branches instead of all those many thin ones. It will look good now when the leaves come but you won't see the characteristic flow of the branches and the tree form. Right now there is to much going on as Matt says in my humble opinion.
But still I like it a lot. Great potential to improve on an already great tree.
Kind regards,
Eric

GraemeK

Thanks for your comments matt and eric...

i have already been thinking about the branches a lot and agree 100% that i need to do some selective pruning!

i will attempt to do some pruning as suggested by matt and post another picture in a few days!

by the way the reason the picture was posted twice was because the first time i posted it the server said that a file of the name maple.jpg already existed....so i posted it again then found it had displayed it twice!

Thanks

Graeme.

__________________
www.tdi-tuning.co.uk - Increasing Diesel Performance

Jay

Graeme.... very nice tree. Matt has offered a very worthwhile suggestion as to how this tree can go. I know that when I receive advise that requires me to do major trim work on a tree it is ... well.....hard to take( at first). Your tree with the modifications shown will be wonderful when it grows out in time.

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A Bonsai student living with his trees at N 44.37 W 77.49...
Think before you act... then think again... no good comes from rushing

Rene_Voortwist

Graeme,

That's a wonderful tree. I'd take Matt's advice.

regards, René