Japanese Green Maple (A. palmatum) 6 yo

Nate

Hi everybody,

Been reading up on the art of bonsai and have finally decided to take the plunge.

I have just bought this Japanese Green Maple. It is 6 years old and planted in a one gallon nursery pot. It has a 1.5 inch trunk and a 4.5 inch exposed root spread. It is 12 in wide and 8 in deep and stands about 13 in.

So, I am just interested in any comments and/or pointers. Actually, it is just being shipped, so I am just brimming over with excitement. Fell in love with those maples.

Will this tree be ready for its first bonsai pot this spring? I know several will suggest planting it outside to thicken the trunk, but I am one of those that prefer proportions I see in Nature around me (Michigan) rather than the really thick trunks, though many specimens with that feature I have seen are absolutely gorgeous as well.

I'm a big boy, so lay it on. Straighten me out if need be, I'm not adverse to training myself as well as the tree.

Thanks and I am sure I will be BEGGING for good advice from many of you in the near future. Have patience with the new kid!

Nate

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I was just a child then, now I'm only a man... RW

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Jay

Hi Nate,
Interesting tree. I hope you got him back into his pot. Not knowing from where you obtained this tree, I am going to assume it was local to you in Michigan. It was probably outside or at least in some unheated location for it to have its dormancy. You should return it to a similar location. Maples like (and need) to rest over the winter. This will give you enough time to decide what direction you will take. It is my feeling that the first year you own a tree it is best to do less than more. Now this does not mean do nothing it just means be careful. Perhaps you can take a few more picture showing the base more clearly and possible a few different angles. I am not sure you are showing the "best" front in the picture you gave us. There will be others, more knowlegeable than I that will like to see a little more inorder to gice better advise. Jay

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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

Nate

Thanks for your comments, Jay. Yes, definitely this tree is back in its pot and will spend the rest of the winter outside in dormancy. Just mainly wondering if I should leave it in the nursery pot for another year. Here are some more pics. I appreciate all comments and advice.

__________________
I was just a child then, now I'm only a man... RW

Nate

and here is the base... these are all the pics I have for now. It is still in shipping to me.

__________________
I was just a child then, now I'm only a man... RW

Jay

Nate... I am listing below some info.... First is the name and contact info for the Pres of the Four Seasons Bonsai Club... the second are some shops in the Detroit area. I know nothing about the club I am listing or the shops but if this club is near you JOIN!!! first hand help is what is best!!!

As for working on the tree, it sounds like it is being shipped to you! If this is the case go slowly, you do not know what has and has not been done to it. Repotting is possible in the spring but await a more knowlegable persons thoughts.

Jay
President and Website, Todd Renshaw, email: scott13@wwnet.com, phone 248.585.9916

American Bonsai, Rochester Road near 12 Mile Road in Royal Oak, (248) 542-2421. Call for hours. Has bonsai, pre-bonsai, pots, tools, books, wire, and other supplies. Also offers instructional classes! Seems to specialize more in indoor varieties.

Bonsai House, 8653 Inkster Road in Westland, (313) 421-3434. Call for hours. Has indoor and outdoor varieties of bonsai, pre-bonsai, and other supplies.

__________________
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

jth3

Hi Nate,
I'm new to the Bonsai thing as well. I have found a good club in my area not too far from you. I joined this club a couple of weeks ago. I have only attended one meeting but from what I have seen it's a good club.

Ann Arbor Bonsai Society http://comnet.org/local/orgs/aabs/ They meet on the 4th Wednesday of each month at the Matthei Botanical Gardens in Ann Arbor.

I have visited the Bonsai House listed in the previous post. Excellent selection and the lady who runs it is very nice and will answer any and all questions that you might have. My daughter and I have purchased several trees from there already.

One question for you, where did you buy the maple from and if you don't mind me asking what did you have to give for it?

Thanks and good luck.....

bonsaial1

Hi Nate, You have one of those trees that presents itself it's own problems. It refused to grow like a bonsai should. But thats OK. What I would do, and this may seem drastic to you if you don't have much expierance, cut the tree like the photo. Leave the top fork of a branch, the little one that shoots straight up. Cut off all the other big branches, seal with wound sealant. Do not repot, and do not cut any roots this season. The tree should respond with a flush of new growth. Just pick and choose which ones you wish to remake. This will allow you to get the branches more in scale with the size of the tree. Right now they are much to large and look out of place. The trunk and root spread make this tree deserve to be regrown to acheive balance. You should end up with a good tree in 1-2 years.

Good luck, Bonsaial

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Experience is fundamental

TreeBay

Al you whacked that darn tree with the ugly stick until there was nothing left but the ugly stick! You're gonna get the 'cruel' folks all down on you. You better change your evil ways!

Uh... How about a more moderate approach?

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TreeBay

Click here for the soundtrack that accompanies Al's evil ways... (there's a big 30 sec intro on this before the words start, if you don't know the song)



I've got to find my bonsai shears, baby
Before I start trimmin' you
You're gonna change, baby
And every word that I say is true
You've got me prunin' and pinchin'
And shapin' the crown
You've got me cuttin' and clippin'
And wearin' a frown
This can't go on
Lord knows you've got to change
Baby, baby

When I come home, baby
My wallet's thin, but my pots are old
You're drying out, baby
This summer wind's just killin' you
I'm getting tired of waiting and fooling around
I'll find a hobby that won't
Make me feel like a clown
This can't go on
Lord knows you've got to change

Yeah, yeah, yeah...

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