AusBonsai

Hey all well after, it has taken me a little longer than expected to carry out this task. I ended up breaking my elbow in the snow which made it quiet difficult to re-pot my plants. Anyway I think I may have just got in in time, the buds have not quiet started to swell yet but will any day now. I gave it a fair prune as I have been trying to reduce the tap root for a while. I'm a little nervous that I have removed to much? I have included a photo of the tree last spring & it was in good health so hopefully it will bounce back fine.

I have potted it in a 50/50 Diatomite/Bonsai mix with a course granite/zeolite drainage base. I have placed it in full shade in a water tray & water well with Seasol. The tray will be removed in a few days and re-water with Seasol, I'm just try to allow the roots to soak up the Seasol.

Whats your thoughts on its bounce back rate & do you have any tips that may help its recovery.

This is year 4 from a total trunk chop
Cheers
Ryan

Hi Ryan
I see a much shorter tree in this Maple. Are you planning to shorten it some time? or is this the tree you have planned?

Shortening is definitely a possibility, I'm going to let it rest for at lwast this year though & see what growth i get out of it.

Two suggestions with the dot branch indicating the new apex. I like the lower option... it will make the trunk look bigger. Nice shape to the trunk and the branching is coming along well.

yep the bend right is good but the bend left looks weird-(sort of contradictory)--air layer or trunk chop at bend left---top section would also be an interesting little tree

I think I agree with the lower option chop option, I night try and layer the top & see how I go. Its only small though so a layer might be difficult, do you think a cutting will strike OK using root hormone powder or should I try & layer it?

Might have to try & wire the apex up a bit or encourage a new leader from the apex branch (green dot) & shorten it all back?