Cutting Nebari?

[alpineart]

Hi Mate , direction is correct a bit closer to the branch without dislodging it would be better so you dont end up with a stub or cut there and tidy up with knob cutter . Trim line is good and 2 other longer branches could be trimmed or left ,the second branch on the new leader could be your true leader next season following the same angle as the lower trunk making for a simple zig-zag trunk line so consider that before cutting the 2 other side branches on your new trainer . The aim is to not develop a canopy but to steer it in the right direction for this tree or layer , which ever option you choose and to force back budding while keeping the apex working to produce both buds and roots .

Cheers . Alpine

[bonsaeen]

Ok so I got a little bit excited and cleaned the roots a bit and cut of branches to half size. The roots were mostly dead I think as they were not connected from trunk to soil so I cut them out and cleaned it up a bit. When I bought this Maple the owner said it is not over rock and the side rock is just for display but after cleaning the roots I checked and there is definitely a rock there.

I also tried to cut the trunk with a branch cutter which obviously didn't work so I will try and get bigger trunk cutter or something and have a go again. I hope this poor thing doesn't die from all the abuse I gave it yesterday.

Maple after.jpg

[alpineart]

Hi mate , it wont die unless you kill it It has only had a wee trim , If it is too thick for your cutters simple slice it off with a saw be it a hack , pruning or hand saw , then clean it up with the branch or knob cutters .

Cheers . Alpine

[bonsaeen]

Ok I cut it finally but in the wrong direction I think. Well lets hope for the best.

Maple cut.jpg

[alpineart]

Hi Mate definitely cut in the wrong direction , level with the top of the branch and at the same angle as the branch . Simply tip it over sideways support the trunk and cut it with a saw , careful not to rip the bark on the branch or trunk .

Cheers . Alpine

[shibui]

You can also just leave the stump for now. It will generally just die back neatly to a line near the branch you have left. At some stage in the future just trim off the dead part and it can then start to heal over the cut surface.

[bonsaeen]

If you think I can leave it alone for a while then I think that's best as the angle makes it a bit hard to cut with limited set of tools.

[shibui]

There is no ill affects on the tree, just a slight delay in the wound covering over. Sometimes a dried stump is easier to nibble away with smaller branch cutters than trying to cut the entire branch in one go so don't feel that you need to make cuts in one go.
I also note that this tree looks like it really needs some nutrients. Feed it today (or as soon as possible) and every 2 weeks until the leaves drop in autumn.

[bonsaeen]

Thanks all. Shibui I did add fert to it as you can see in the picture too. I just sprinkle a little over the soil and try and mix it with hands a little bit but not too much as the packaging says.

I have been invited to a workshop by a member here tomorrow so I will take this tree and one more and see what advice I can get.