AusBonsai

This is an Amur Maple which had developed severe rot in the trunk. But before I threw it in the fire, I thought I might have a go at hollowing it out. It continued to put out new growth each year but it will be interesting to see if it still has a will to live after this. Hopefully it will as I didn't really remove much live tissue at all.

Holey moley, certainly has nice bark - what's left of it, hope it keeps on keeping on for you

Most impressive, will be great to see the progress of this maple. Best of luck with it, I'm sure it will be amazing
Cheers Rod

Great root system and very nice structure for the coming years. Have you sold trees on ebay before? I get the feeling I own a Chinese Quince and 'Sugar Tyme' Crabapple of yours

If it survives it'll be a very unique and good looking tree. Are you treating it with any wood sealer etc?

I have 3 smal Amur maples.
They dont seem to do much.
Does anyone have them growing in Sydney???

I did similarly to mine. It didn't pull through as even though the dead wood didn't do anything it helped prevent water loss from the live tissues. You gotta use cut past to seal the live wood to prevent water loss. I hope yours pull through!

jezz_39 wrote:Great root system and very nice structure for the coming years. Have you sold trees on ebay before? I get the feeling I own a Chinese Quince and 'Sugar Tyme' Crabapple of yours

Yep. How are they doing?

kvan64 wrote:I did similarly to mine. It didn't pull through as even though the dead wood didn't do anything it helped prevent water loss from the live tissues. You gotta use cut past to seal the live wood to prevent water loss. I hope yours pull through!

I did seal around the cuts but I will do all the wood as well. Thanks for the advice!

No worries. By the way, how is the colour of your tree's leaves in autumn? I live in brisbane and the leaves are not as colourful as they should be for what people call "flaming maple".

treeman wrote:This is an Amur Maple which had developed severe rot in the trunk. But before I threw it in the fire, I thought I might have a go at hollowing it out. It continued to put out new growth each year but it will be interesting to see if it still has a will to live after this. Hopefully it will as I didn't really remove much live tissue at all.

I have a maple in what looks like a similar predicament. If confirmed I'll try the same. Better than burning.

This will be an exceptional maple bonsai. I admire your skill. You belong to a master class, really I mean it. All I can say from my limited experience is that maples suit a high altitude and cold winters. That's where they naturally grow. I have no problems with mine one is about 9 years old. During exceptionally hot weather, last summer, it had rained, so I neglected to look at four pre bonsai, on one bench. They got no rain. The trident maple's leaves shriveled, I lost a bamboo. Even the cotoneaster its leaves were curling, and some on the liquid amber. I gave them a good water, and the maple sprouted new buds, they are smaller than before. A natural defoliation I suspect? Keep us informed about your progress. Unfortunately I cut the leader branch of the liquidamber. I should have waited to see if it regenerated like the maple. But it is still a good shape.

One must be vigilant throughout all seasons. Watering, feeding, and maintenance as well as weather checks
Cheers Rod

fantastic --hope it pulls through for you---your more effective than termites

Amazing work, hope it survives!