JM From a Tree to Bonsai.

[Pearcy001]

Hi guys!

Just thought I'd pick people's brains on their experience attempting to covert full trees to bonsai.

My parents have a Japanese Maple in a barrel that they no longer wish to keep. I've done what all good son's should do and thrown the hand up to take it off their hands





Just wondering if people have found it worth while attempting to cut trees like this down? It is around 2 metres tall. From poking my finger around the soil, it seems to have some fiberous roots near the base - although I think I may have ripped a few off haha. There is also a dormant but already approximately 150mm up the trunk.

Thoughts?

Cheers,
Pearcy.

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[Theodore]

Pearcy

What have you got to lose! Go for it!

Cutting it down won't be an issue, you will get buds everywhere in spring. From what I understand you can get a bit of dieback when doing heavy pruning on these, but it should be ok.

Others that know more will no doubt chime in.

Theo


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[shibui]

This is certainly possible with trees that bud on old wood and JM can do it. You don't actually need fibrous roots. I regularly cut back roots on maples to just leave root stumps. New roots will grow from the cut ends just like new shoots will grow from the stump above ground.

However, while it is possible to cut JM back and it can regrow it is not always the quickest or best way to a great bonsai. You will still have a lower trunk with little taper. It will usually take quite a few years to grow a new apex thick enough to blend in with the lower part and for the large cut to heal over. I'm not sure what style of tree you are imagining it will become but, unless you also get new roots you will always be stuck with a vertical, straight lower trunk which is not the best start for a Japanese maple bonsai. JM sometimes die back a bit when pruned really hard - part of the trunk may die in the process.

Having said all that I still believe it is worth doing, if only for the experience. Just don't be disappointed if you don't end up with a stunning bonsai.
On the other hand, when you do, you can say

[Pearcy001]

Thanks Neil.

The last thing I'm expecting is something good haha. All o could imagine is a broom style from a thick straight trunk. Nothing worth having on the bench in winter just when in leaf.

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[KIRKY]

Before just lopping off the top, why not air layer some smaller trees from it? Looking at it you could get a group, twin trunk, single trunk etc... Seems a waste to just get one stump. You can still get the stump at the end. That way you have many more tree to play with or to trade fir other stock etc... Just a thought.
Cheers
Kirky

[Pearcy001]

I thought about that Kirky, but I think the parents want it gone sooner rather than later and it's too big for me to store. If only I could do a layer and chop all over the winter months!

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[dansai]

Do your layers now and you will probably have roots by spring ready to remove. Then chop and repot.

[Pearcy001]

If you think it would work then I'm down for trying! I thought chopping and repotting in spring would make it bleed too much?

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[dansai]

I have heard mention a few times on here that if you get excessive bleeding, root pruning will stop it.

[Andrew E]

Definitley have a go. JM bud strongly when pruned hard with a root pruning as well. Cut back to that dormant bud and repot the trunk on an angle (depending on the root spread) to get some movement. Allow a new leading branch to grow unhindered for a year then chop back and repeat. After 5 years you'll have good taper and a nice trunk line. The branches you grow as the tree develops. Always a good score when they're free. Have fun.

[KIRKY]

I know you have to seal all cuts on a JM. I have never heard that they bleed. i know Pines do, never heard JM's do?
Glad to hear you may give the air layering ago. Just sweet talk the folks into letting it stay over winter. Who but bonsai nuts are out over winter? keep us posted with pic's.
Cheers
Kirky

[Boics]

Air layers for sure.
I dont think the chop is worth the effort.

[Pearcy001]

Air layers it is then! I'll try find the time to pop over today and do as many as possible. I've only ever attempted one before this and it failed as I did not seal the top with tape. Water flooded it over the start of spring and the spagnum went mouldy. I'll have plenty of tape on hand this time, hopefully these ones work

Cheers for the advice guys,
Pearcy.

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[KIRKY]

Before you start refresh your memory with RayM posts on air layering. Couldn't hurt
Cheers
Kirky

[Pearcy001]

Before you start refresh your memory with RayM posts on air layering. Couldn't hurt
Cheers
Kirky

I have it bookmarked

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