Project backyard Japanese Maple

[Keels]

Hi guys,

This is my latest project. I have a large Japanese Maple growing in my backyard. I want to look at transplanting it into a large pot. However I have limited knowledge on Japanese maples. Are these trees successful when you dig them up and place them into growing pots? Is it better to wait til the tree is dormant over winter?

Anyway any advise would be great guys. Cheers.

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[shibui]

Yes on both counts.
Removing large branches can sometimes cause the related parts of trunk and root to die. Seems to be better to leave stumps of all major branches until the tree adjusts to the new sap flow.
You can cut roots reasonably hard.
Trunk and branches will usually sprout new buds after pruning right back to old, bare wood.
Don't underestimate the size of the roots you will have after digging. You're going to need a really large pot for this one.

[Truth]

Might I suggest taking some layers first, where you have a lot of girth, character and movement. You'll potentially end up with significantly more, very interesting specimens, instead of just trunking what you have and losing everything above it.

[Keels]

Yes on both counts.
Removing large branches can sometimes cause the related parts of trunk and root to die. Seems to be better to leave stumps of all major branches until the tree adjusts to the new sap flow.
You can cut roots reasonably hard.
Trunk and branches will usually sprout new buds after pruning right back to old, bare wood.
Don't underestimate the size of the roots you will have after digging. You're going to need a really large pot for this one.

I was thinking of getting one of those styfo foam boxes and putting it in there. As I currently don't have a pot large enough.

[Keels]

Might I suggest taking some layers first, where you have a lot of girth, character and movement. You'll potentially end up with significantly more, very interesting specimens, instead of just trunking what you have and losing everything above it.

The only issue is I'm moving at the end of July. Not even sure if it would work if I air layered it now and it would be fine to remove by the time I move.

[shibui]

My best guess is the trunk diameter is more than 10cm diameter. Larger roots will probably be around 3-5cm diameter and there will be few if any fine roots close to the trunk. I always find the roots need to be cut back much further than estimated to fit into any container
Even the largest poly boxes are only 52x33x15cm deep.
You will need to take off all down growing roots just under the trunk. Side roots will need to be cut to around 5 or 6 cm long to fit into the box. Are you brave enough?

If it won't fit into the box you can leave the roots soaking in a tub of water (Do you have a tub big enough?) while you make up a wooden box to take it.