AusBonsai

Hi All,

I just dug up a plum?cherry? from friend house, initially would like to cut it back and train it into a bonsai, but after inspecting the root, I'm not quite sure now, it looks to have mass feeder root on the surface with no nerbari, but when lift it up, I could see some big root, so not sure if I should venture to rip out all surface root to discover what's in it or should I just plant this as a garden tree and layer the top off to start some small shohin? advise please?




Regards

If it were up to me I would have just layered it 3 inches below were it forks in 2 . Then when removing the layer also remove one of the 2 trunks and cut the one remaining trunk back to just over an inch and grow a new leader from there.

Bit hard to see the Future styling options, but the roots and base look fine to me.

I would pot up into a nice mix, chop off any roots pointing down and then wait till spring and the new growth to start.
You can then layer off the top section as Paul mentions, But i would like to the a few shots of the low section of the trunk.
Does it split into 2?
Possible twin trunk out of it or a real low branch?

Ken

Pot it, feed it and it'll shoot back. There will be plenty of options then. If you lose one of the apex you'll have a nice taper. Don't be too quick to cut r layer. As Grant says, wait 10 or 20 years and if you still want to do it then have a go.

Gents, Thank you all for your quick reply. below are 2 more shots focus on the lower trunk. I was thinking to take one off to create taper but the thought of leaving a big scar just put me off. I think air layer then train up low sacrified branches is the way to go for nice bonsai, at least this technique makes the transition more seamless. not too keen about trunk chop, have done afew in the past on trident and japanese maples and the healing time just takes too long, imaging on an old trunk, i'm not even sure it will heal at all.
so yep, will pot it up and wait till spring to air layer.




Regards