Trident Maple Needs Guidance

Gogo

Hi all,

I recently picked up this trident maple at a nursery and was hoping i could get some opinions on how I should style it. I just started learning about bonsai so I'm still pretty clueless on seeing potential. The only problems I can pick out is the "sling shot trunk" on top and the slenderness of the trunk itself in proportion with its height.

The tree is 15 inches tall with a 3/4 inch trunk.

Thanks for any advice.
Gerald

Attached Images

tridentmaple1.jpg (52.8 KB, 180 views)

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Gogo

Another angle.

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tridentmaple2.jpg (45.6 KB, 174 views)

Gogo

I was also hoping someone could point out exactly how far back I should prune the branches. A book I have says to prune back to 1 or 2 sets of leaves. The book isn't very descriptive and I'm not sure if the author means to count 1-2 sets of leaves starting at the tip of the branch or starting from where the branch originates.

Attached Images

tridentbranches.jpg (55.8 KB, 171 views)

DavidN

Gogo, I actually really like the potential of this tree. I do agree that the slingshot branches towards the top are no good and one of them has to go. With how to trim branches I believe the one you have shown above doesn't require any trimming. It does need wiring though. I think that you must be referring to pinching out the terminal buds once two sets of leaves have appeared. That will add ramification to your branches.

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Bonsai Northwest Inc, Melbourne, Australia

Bonsai Flora Nursery in Yarraville, Melbourne

DavidN

Gogo I have done a couple of virtuals and removed each other the top two branches that are too heavy. The first one is where I took off the left hand side top branch. I rotated the tree 15deg Counter clockwise.

Attached Images

tridentmaple1a.jpg (32.8 KB, 162 views)

DavidN

Next I took off the right hand side top branch and rotated tree 10deg counter clockwise which I like a bit more because of the movement.

Attached Images

tridentmaple1b.jpg (31.8 KB, 160 views)

Greggles

wow...that is the nicest "off the shelf" tree I've ever seen! how much did you pay for it??

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"And the LORD God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground-trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food." - Genesis 2:9

Gogo

David that looks awesome! I wouldn't even have thought of those approaches. Rotating the trunk makes a huge difference. I will have to look at my other trainees and see what rotating will do for them. I'm somewhat partial to the second virtual. I'll have to look at the tree to see which one is more feasible.

I'll be posting a follow up picture of my tree soon.

Thanks,
Gerald