AusBonsai

It was a layer. About 40cm.
The perennial problem of unbalanced vigor in the branches of this species. ie: always stronger at the top.

Before work
After pruning
After wiring

Very nice tree. Very natural and uncontrived looking.

What pot have you got in mind for it?

Grant

I like shallow blue or cream retangles or ovals to contrast the autumn leaves.

Lovely work Mike.

How long ago did you do the layer? Was it 3 branches to start?

Regards,
Steven

lovely tree, mate.

Thanks

niiiiiice

Nice, nice, nice! I often look longingly at the air layer opportunities on trees as I am walking around. Tragically, I am a unit dweller and don't have any candidates in the garden.

Great decision to keep that back branch, which adds real depth.

Very nice light touch to the styling as well.

Steven wrote:Lovely work Mike.

How long ago did you do the layer? Was it 3 branches to start?

Regards,
Steven

Thanks all. Yes 3 branches. I can't remember exactly how long ago but I would guess about 12 to 15 years.
The apex remains a problem though. If you look at the tree over all, the height still needs to be reduced a fair bit to give the rest a chance to catch up. Otherwise, it will keep getting taller and remain overlly dominant and out of balance.
Unfortunately that means cutting deeper into the apex and re-training a new leader.
Probably here:

I think it's a great looking tree as is.

Agreed, honestly I don't think the tree has a balance issue at all. If you wanted to make the very terminal branches in the apex finer, then by all means cut back and grow, but I think if you just started pinching back new growth to maybe get some backbudding down the trunk and smaller growth, you'll end up with a very fine tree

Truth wrote:Agreed, honestly I don't think the tree has a balance issue at all. If you wanted to make the very terminal branches in the apex finer, then by all means cut back and grow, but I think if you just started pinching back new growth to maybe get some backbudding down the trunk and smaller growth, you'll end up with a very fine tree

I've been pinching back soft new growth since it was layered. It is not enough with this species. The buds at the top are almost always twice the size of the weaker ones. You need to replace the apex with weaker growth and defoliate the strong parts to have any hope of control. And you need to do that every year.

Very nice natural looking tree Mike , do enjoy seeing what you do with your trees
regards
peterb

Any chance of a pic of this beauty in leaf

treeman wrote:I like shallow blue or cream retangles or ovals to contrast the autumn leaves.

If only Gordon Duffett had an online store Mike

I really like this tree, it is uncomplicated and sympathetic to the species natural habit. It makes me wish I hadn't switched heavily to Tridents back when I was in suburbia and at the mercy of the drought. I need more Mountain Maples! Thanks for the wake up call

Cheers,
Mojo

Rory wrote:

Any chance of a pic of this beauty in leaf

At the end of summer when it's looking at it's absolute worst? See what I can do.........