how to train JM into multiple trunk line?

[cutejai]

Hi All,

I'm absolutely in love with those big japanese maple with multiple feminine trunk line with a flare nebari, so just wondering how do you achieve that effect? I sort of have an idea of how to achieve the flare base, but what about the multiple small trunks? do they just train the flare base first, once they achieve that, they just chop off all existing trunk and allow the new trunk line to shoot then wire them into shape?

Regards
George

[Boics]

Hi there George.

Do you have a link or picture to assist your search!?
This would go a long way..

Thanks!

[cutejai]

Hi boics,

you will find afew example on "The Bonsai Art of Japan - Episode 2" in youtube, and I remember seeing afew from WOB as well, can't remember which episode though.

I like this multi trunk form more than the muscular single trunk. I think the multi trunk is a more natural and suit JM more.

Regards
George

[Andrew Legg]

Hi George,

As far as I know, there are two ways to do this. One is to do a very low chop on a single trunk tree, and the other is to plant multiple trees in a tight group. Japanese maples will fuse, so both techniques are valid. It probably depends entirely on the material you have available as to which route you choose. Walter Pall's maple is an absolute cracker, and I can understand why you like the style!!

Cheers,

Andrew

[cutejai]

Thanks Andrew, so I might be on the right track then, I currently have a few japnease maple planting in a close group hoping they will fuse together. but their trunk are too straight to be of any use, so for now I just let them go rampage to speed up the process, once I've achieved the nebari, I'm planning to take them down low to develop a set of new trunks and start wire them from young shoot to put some curve in them.

Cheers

[shibui]

Japanese maple often shoot extra trunks low down naturally so just select one that shows the tendency to produce extra trunks and grow from there.

Some other methods to achieve it:
1. Thread seedlings through holes in metal plate. As they thicken the constricting sheet causes the trunks to produce callus the trunks will graft themselves together in a year or 2. They will also put out roots above the sheet that will ususlly produce a horizontal, radial root system on one level. This is the start to those massive flared roots. This technique works really well with tridents. Japanese maples will be just a bit slower.

2. Layer a branch just below where there is several side branches. These will become the minor trunks of the new tree. If the layer produce good roots you are again off to a great start on a strong, horizontal root base. In my attempts to do this with layers I have found the trunks a bit straight with not enough movement for good bonsai but maybe by selecting the right branch and some better technique?????

[Meagi]

Hi George
some good information on Japanese maples in this link as well

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KauXPxmiT5c

[kcpoole]

Wire them when young to get movement defined early. Do not rely solely on later as later may never come

If you wire them now and then have to cut later then so be it but if the develop nicely now then you will save yourself years

Ken