AusBonsai

I have a large trident maple tree growing in a 100L pot which is destined for a trunk chop. Alas i also want to take a number of the upper branches off to plant and keep growing for future larger stock. With the limited experience i have I just wanted to clear up when to do the chop as i have read/heard that both end of winter and and of spring is ok for them? If i can chop at the end of the spring, then i can place 2-3 air layers on the tree at the start of spring and chop these off at the same time o chop the trunk... Otherwise i will have to wait and do this over 2 years...

Also if i chop in spring, then i presume i should do some major root prunning, or leave the massive roots to grow and fuel new shoots faster?? Although with the later i would expect this will leave me with vigorous growth with very long internodes....

ps... As a tree this is a dog as it was from a colder climate (near Bowral) and i think suffered from major bark splitting via sunscold and the length of the tree is ripe for hollowing out, very much like this one:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jI07RPVEgbI/R ... _1857v.jpg

You can trunk chop at any time of year, but ideally it would be best to do so when the tree is dormant. Make sure you seal all wounds, especially if you do it during winter as the wound will be more susceptible to disease if left open in the wet weather.

You should root prune it when re-potting (Tridents have very active roots so yearly would be optimal, but every other year at a minimum), but not if the tree is actively growing. Root pruning should only be done whilst dormant or when the buds begin to swell.

As for layers, tridents should take about 6 weeks to grow roots depending on the whether and could be started late September-October. Tridents take really easy from cuttings, and I have see a 6 inch trunk treated as a cutting and it was successful. That being said, you are more likely to have success with layers, but cuttings are still an option.

Hope that helps

Btw if anyone else can add anything, or correct me, please don't hesitate as I am NOT a trident guru, just an advanced beginner.

Thanks Luke..

If you want to do heavy root work on tridents its best to do that late winter early spring so the big cuts are not sitting in cold wet potting mix for too long. I would recommend you bring the roots onto line this year as the hard pruning should have minimal impact on your trees growth rate.
Craigw