AusBonsai

I have a large trident maple that I'm considering doing some drastic work on. I think that I would like to re-start all of existing branches. I would have to reduce all branches back to stumps & then play the waiting game hoping that there will be enough buds for new branch selection. I understand that the best time to do trunk chops is early to mid summer. But when is the best time to remove heavy branches on trident's...? Would that be (now-mid) winter...? I have read that if done earlier in winter that more buds are activated...is this correct? or would it be nearer to bud burst just before spring...? I was thinking that I should leave root system un-touched so that all of the stored energy over winter will push through nice strong growth.
I haven't taken any photo's this year, but if you'd to see the tree that I'll be working on then it's posted here.

viewtopic.php?f=129&t=20149

Not much has changed on this tree apart from lower right hand branch removal/a few smaller to create space & growing out whips for thread grafts... but after constantly looking at the tree & finding faults that (in my eyes) can't really be improved.
I was originally in the mind set that I could rectify by removing some of the smaller branches & thread graft others in place, would improve overall appearance. But after contemplating for so long now (scared)........ I've finally realised that you need to have initial branching/shape/placement/movement completed first, before you can move forward to the refinement stage. That's why I feel it necessary to start from a bare trunk...I'd really appreciate all advice /views on best practice for large branch removal, as well as stripping back to bare trunk. If there are those of you who think I'm going the wrong way about it, then throw your comments this way. you may just change my mind......

Bonsaiforest wrote:I have read that if done earlier in winter that more buds are activated...is this correct? or would it be nearer to bud burst just before spring...? .

Never cut back right to trunk only my self on a large tree, but a few of small ones.
Never heard of the above before so not sure. Leaving to late winter / early spring is likely to bleed from extra sap flow where later in Spring the tree will recover quickly,
with your tree you shodu get lots of shoots from around the branch stubs to choose from so should not be worried on that count.

Ken

G'day,

Have you read the tutorial on trunk chopping? viewtopic.php?f=7&t=8312

Next time you should just continue your original thread rather than starting a new one for the same tree.

Regards,
Steven

Thanks for the link Steven & in regards to the post will do...Cheers