Trident Maple Trunk Thickening

GaryR

Hi All

Just like to say hi to all and what a great forum this is, anyway i was hoping some of my betters on here could help me with my Trident Maple.

It has a thinner part in the middle of the trunk which i could do with thickening up so i can achive a nice taper, I was also wondering if you think it would be a good idea to maybe chop a bit of the top section of the trunk away ( top left section) in order to get a better taper, any info on how to achive this would be most appreciated.

Many Thanks
Gary

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kcpoole

Hi Gary and Welcome.
Nice tree. How big is it

please take the time to fill in the user info so we can know where u are from. Helps to give relevant advice.

Looks like to me that the tree has a reverse taper about 1/2 way up.

To repair it you would have 2 options I think ( others here will corrct me if I am wrong).
1st way would be to let all the branches below the problem area to grow out unkempt for a few years. This would to try and build the trunk lower down. This would happen faster if it was planted in the ground.

Other option would be to remove ( or air layer) off the top and regrow a new apex thus generating good taper.
Both options are a fairly long term project.

Any other ideas?

Ken P

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AndyWilson

As Kc mentioned quite an easy method would be to let one of the branches in the area you want to thicken up grow unrestricted. With a trident this should solve your whole problem in a season or so i reckon.

Using a sacrifice branch to thicken up a certain part of the plant is a very common and easy technique, just let it grow out completely and remove it when its job is done. For this reason try and use one of the back branches so the scar isnt visible in the "front" view of your tree.

tachigi

KC is spot on! Let all the branches bolt below the reverse taper keep the upper half pruned back and let the energy go to those lower branches. In the ground will give the fastest results.

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redhawkbonsai

I would go with plan #1. When planting in the ground. Plant it over a flat brick or board as to make the roots grow out not down. This will also help with nebari (root) devolpment.

Awesome trident! Thanks for sharing

redhawk

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GaryR

Hi All

Thanks for reply's really appreciated.

KC/Andy/tachigi/Reshawk : Thanks for the info.

The tree is 30 inch's tall and 28 inch wide branch tip to tip. I brought this tree a year ago when i first started Bonsai and as i have read more more i have noticed things not right with it i.e. trunk but i hope with time and the good advice i get here i can turn it into a real nice specimen.

I am going to use the first method from KC and Redhawk good tip planting on a brick to keep the roots flat.
Do you think i could plant this in a big purpose built wooden box instead of the ground, the reason i ask is that i am going to be doing a bit of work on my garden and dont want to dig the tree up in the process.

Once again Thanks for the info.

Gary

GB_Bonsai

depending on how bad the problem is, consider using the tips of your shears to gently stab the bark in the narrow spot. this will cause thickening as it heals and it will not be evident in a season of good growth. you will save yourself from having to correct out of proportion branchs which will occur if you let the lower ones run.

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redhawkbonsai

Gary:

Yes, you can plant it in pre-made container. Just remember to plant it shallow and give it planty of side ways growing room. I use shallow plastic ponds to grow my larger bald cypress'

Good luck, redhawk

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redhawkbonsai

This method was used in the 70's & 80’s along with the product “Futoru” it works pretty well but, the scaring sometimes gets out of hand and doesn’t match the rest of the trees smooth bark.

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