Acer Negundo #1

[Cmd5235]

I'm sad I missed the native tree competition! Starting a specific thread to document this tree. I've posted it in other combination posts- please ignore. This tree has survived two years post collection, so I feel comfortable with logging ongoing styling. This thread will serve as an ongoing journal, as well as for input.

I understand Acer Negundo aka Boxelder is not a great material for bonsai, given the compound leaves, long internodes, and random internode length. That being said, I'm going to give this a shot given the trunk diameter and overall size of the tree- about four feet so far. i feel like this may be an appropriate proportion size.

At time of collection:


This summer:

 

[Cmd5235]

Behold a crappy wiring job. I'll correct it when I have more time this week:

 

[Cmd5235]

 

[Cmd5235]

Update: Still going crazy

 

[QuantumSparky]

I'm in love with how nice that simple curved trunk looks, especially with the nice nebari! Can't wait to see how it develops

 

[Kingpoutine]

I’ve been messing with one of these. The thing I don’t love about my tree is internode length. What are techniques to reduce that in trees? Defoliation ?

 

[Hack Yeah!]

@Kingpoutine I'm just starting to try to solve internode length on a few trees myself, not Negundo but... the main thing I've found that helped was cutting back after the first strong spring growth was done extending. Other things I'll try with other acers will be more sun, less/ no fertilizer and eventually less frequent repots

 

[Cmd5235]

I'm in love with how nice that simple curved trunk looks, especially with the nice nebari! Can't wait to see how it develops

Thank you. That's really the only reason I'm giving this a shot, that and the overall size

 

[Cmd5235]

@Kingpoutine I'm just starting to try to solve internode length on a few trees myself, not Negundo but... the main thing I've found that helped was cutting back after the first strong spring growth was done extending. Other things I'll try with other acers will be more sun, less/ no fertilizer and eventually less frequent repots

@Kingpoutine this Negundo has been throwing out long internodes and short ones, and all types in between. I think that's been the biggest battle so far, the randomness and inconsistencies. I keep cutting it back hard each year and pinching out shoots as soon as they start to push. You really have to stay on top of it, it loves to throw out shoots and thicken them up really quickly.

 

[Eckhoffw]

@Kingpoutine this Negundo has been throwing out long internodes and short ones, and all types in between. I think that's been the biggest battle so far, the randomness and inconsistencies. I keep cutting it back hard each year and pinching out shoots as soon as they start to push. You really have to stay on top of it, it loves to throw out shoots and thicken them up really quickly.

Nice start. These things are everywhere!
I keep resisting collecting one. Maybe if trunk was like yours.

 

[Cmd5235]

I will wire that first branch down a degree, but unfortunately the other branches are fixed in a more upright position

 

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[DanaWhicker]

Looking good!

 

[Cmd5235]

Not terrible for a trash species

 

[Eckhoffw]

View attachment 450477
Not terrible for a trash species

Not at all! However, let’s see if it can ramify and build some full pads!

 

[Cmd5235]

Getting ready for the first haircut in a few weeks

 

[Cmd5235]

Pre and post-pruning update. Still working on pads. The internode length certainly isn’t uniform by any standard, but I’m hoping that the size of the tree overall will help to compensate.

 

[Hartinez]

I like this tree. It’s got a great start. The only thing I will say is to think less about the foliage on deciduous as pads and more as overall canopy through branch density. Less mass and more line. If that makes sense. Pads work far better for conifers than they do for deciduous. IMO

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Nice! I like it a lot. I think it needs to be brought down im height a bit.

 

[Cmd5235]

Nice! I like it a lot. I think it needs to be brought down im height a bit.

Yeah, next step is to prune that top back a bit. Will probably tackle that tomorrow and bring that first branch down a bit more