Question about trident chop

Franco

I got this short and fat guy last summer, and let it grow out for teh season. The bottom half is real nice. It is fat and shows some character, but he top half half sucks. It lack taper and movement. A trunk chop would be the best option, but I am having trouble deciding what leader to choose. Can I just chop where the taper and movement end, and hope a leader will shoot up from the chop? The first pic shows the tree in the selected front view. The second shows what could happen if i choose to chop that low and use the branch with the arrow as the new leader. The third pic shows a higher chop, and I jsut hope a new leader sprouts from the chop. And the last is what what I would like this tree to become. Would what you guys do?

Attached Images

	trident maple winter 004good.jpg (48.9 KB, 111 views)
	trident maple winter 004chop1.JPG (49.3 KB, 91 views)
	trident maple winter 004chop 2.JPG (48.9 KB, 89 views)
	trident maple winter 004future.JPG (35.2 KB, 114 views)

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BONSAI_OUTLAW

I would not style it like a pine if it were mine.

Franco

how are maples traditionally styled?

discusmike

it looks like you have some branches were the last chop was located that would make good leaders,unless you would like to make the tree alot shorter.

bonsaikc

If you want to chop this one, I would suggest cutting it higher with the understanding that you will probably want to carve it lower later on. Cut horizontally and leave the stump. You could also remove all the branches at the same time, nothing left. You will get the result of many new buds popping all over, which you can then choose from. The branches you have now are okay but will be a little firm to try to turn one into the new leader.

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Chris Johnston
"She was a critic, and lots fo critics who aren't called to do what they write about grow jealous and mean and small in their disappointment." - Stephen King, Duma Key
Sashi-no-eda.blogspot.com

tachigi

Franco, why would you want to chop this trunk? Someone put some time into developing it. It has movement, and taper all though the top could use a little carving to reduce the volume of the trunk. Branch placement appears pretty good to. If it were mine I would have no problem running with it the way it is. How is the nebari, its really not visible?

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Tom

Shady Side Bonsai
Bonsai Vault
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Franco

It doesnt really have an incredible nebari, from what I can see. I am going to repot in a shallow wooden box, and spread the roots out. If there is no nebari, I may thread graft some saplings onto the base. The reason why I want to chop is because the shape of the trunk just doesnt excite me and doesnt do anything for me. I liked the girth of the bottom 1/3 of the tree which is why I bought it. Since i never did a chop, I was kind of anticipating growing this tree like that.

GaryS

This trunk has already been chopped.

I would not chop it again, it would take years to form a good taper from another lower chop.

I would turn the tree counterclockwise about 1/4 of a turn and let that root on the right side of the nebari run more to the side, this would be my front.

As for the leader, I'd probably choose the one on top that has a slight curve to it and let it grow as tall as possible to get a nice taper, next Spring I'd cut that leader back and let it grow again.....hard to explain.

It's a nice trunk as it is and you can develop a good nebari as the years go by without thread gafting etc. Tridents have a way of developing as the years go by, so be patient.

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GaryS

Myrtle

I thought this would be a fun tree to try a virt on, but that will take me forever so I thought I'd post this pic in case anyone else wants to give it a go.
I'll post my virt later tonight. (I hope)
-Myrtle

Attached Images

trident stump pre virt.JPG (56.6 KB, 60 views)