First Trident Maple

jloeschner

JDL,

My local native species are mostly red and silver maples. I do have several of each, and based on my experience, as well as my research, neither make good bonsai. Their internodes are very long, and their leaves are very large. The few seedlings that I have will take some years to develop, but the more mature specimens have 2-3 inch trunks, and are planted in my yard. I bought them with the intentions of turning them into bonsai, but I have since decided that they just will not work properly. They will make great shade trees one day.

As for my preference of maple, I actually prefer the tridents over the run-of-the-mill Japanese maples, but I have yet to find any in any of the nurseries I have visited, except Brussell's. And, actually, this trip was the first time I have been to his nursery and found tridents other than extremely expensive specimen trees. Tridents do not seem to be very common in this part of the world, for some reason. That is why I bought this one. It was the largest (read thickest) tree that Brussell had that I could afford, and I cannot find ANY tridents anywhere else.

As for using other species, I do. I have a Chinese elm, Japanese maple, bald cypress, Alberta spruce (very difficult to train!), Satzuki azalea, American elm, pin oak, various native maples, various different junipers, several ficus, Fukien tea, Schefflera, Portilicara jade (sp?), several different boxwoods, and many seedlings. I have yet to pick an absolute favorite, though my Chinese elm and ficuses (sp?) do provide me with the most entertainment. Hopefully, this trident will also serve me well by providing various experiences that I could not get from the other species.

Even though I am still a beginner, with only 8 months experience, I have learned a vast amount about bonsai and horticulture in general, and each species in particular. As I progress, I hope to cull my collection and focus on one or two species that I like the best. However, until I have at least tried different species of trees, I cannot know which I would like best. If I were to be forced to choose right now, I would probably choose my Chinese elm. My Ficus retusa would be my second choice, and my third would probably be my bald cypress. Notice that I pick the relatively "easy" trees. I expect this will change as I grow in experience and knowledge of each species.

Regards,
John

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