Red Maple (Acer Rubrum) Trunk Chop Root Suckering

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Patmet
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Red Maple (Acer Rubrum) Trunk Chop Root Suckering

Post by Patmet »

I had a Red Maple at home in the garden for a few years that has ended up being unsuitable, so I decided to dig it up and do a trunk chop this year in Winter and have a go with it for bonsai.

It hasn't produced any buds on the trunk, but recently has shot a sucker up from the base. My question is should I remove the sucker to encourage buds on the trunk? I know the trunk is still green and alive. I did the same trunk chop with a slightly smaller Trident Maple and that has shot all over the trunk no problems. Photos below.

Cheers for any advice :beer:
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treeman
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Re: Red Maple (Acer Rubrum) Trunk Chop Root Suckering

Post by treeman »

There might not be any dormant buds on the trunk. if not it will never shoot. You should confirm before you cut. It may still shoot from a bud you cannot see but I would keep the ''sucker'' for now. It is quite safe to pinch out the tip of the sucker to keep it from running away.
Mike
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