TRIDENT MAPLE: Styling Advice

raskolnikov

I obtained this trident maple in the early spring of 2006. It's grown enough in this raised bed for me to want to begin working on styling it this March. I hope that some of you might have some tips about what to do.

I know that I should cut it back pretty hard to induce better taper as your eye moves upward. However, I'm not sure which branch would be the best to save as the new lead. (Or is that even something I should consider at this point?)

There are three pictures in this link. Originally, PICTURE 1 was my idea of the front. But now I think maybe PICTURE 3 is a more interesting view.

http://www.4shared.com/dir/5121923/e3ebea33/bonsai.html

Thanks for any thoughts you have. And I apologize in advance if this web-based file system is flawed.

Brian

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kcpoole

Hi Brian
The front of any is mainly dictated by the nebari of the tree rather than any branching.

With this one I would first check the nebari before picking a front. I would then chop the thick branch at the top and both thick side brances and regrow all new branches from start.

Ken

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CScott

The little root visible on the right of picture one needs to come off. Then I agree with Ken. Find the best best trunk flare and nebari. Remove any big branches sticking out toward the front so the wounds can start to heal ASAP.
After that I usually sit back for a year and let the tree (or knowledgable teacher) tell me what comes next. In other words, no hurry.

Carmen

raskolnikov

Thanks for your comments and suggestions. So should I now wait until Feb or March to do the heavy pruning, or is it best to do that now? I've just always assumed spring is the best time, but maybe with tridents there are different rules.

By the way, I'm in Kentucky, USA. Zone 6

kcpoole

I would wait until spring. The tree is dormant now and will not start to heal till then anyway.

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bonsaikc

"Safe Surf Policy" prevents me from seeing photos on sharing sites. Can you upload the photo to this site?

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Chris Johnston
Sashi-no-eda.blogspot.com

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