Collected Bent Acer Saccharum

I hadnt brought this tree in at all, so I figured I would take a closer look at it today. I have no plans to do root work on this this year, just let it grow and fertilize, with some basic structural pruning.

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Tips look healthy this year..
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Another possible pair of buds to consider... I actually like that back one protruding at the weird angle as a possible future leader...
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Roots are healthy, but I want to restrain that extra thick root and promote the closer younger roots to grow. I decided to actually cut out the larger root in place now.
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While the tree was in the shop, I noticed a few corners of the grow box were separating, so I tossed some screws in to hold it together another year. This grow box was not built as sturdy as this year's boxes were:
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It is a sugar maple.

I would wait about 2 weeks to collect. Cold temps are in the forecast for us so I would say as soon as temperatures are consistently above freezing at night, go collect!!!
 
End of year... cut back some roots under the grow box, hard pruned the top, added wire to intended leader and new left branch. Needs another year or two to grow out after this before its next repot. Plenty of room. I also am using this box.for some other seedlings and such so there are a couple oaks and some red maples dotting the landscape that will be removed at next repot.

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End of year... cut back some roots under the grow box, hard pruned the top, added wire to intended leader and new left branch. Needs another year or two to grow out after this before its next repot. Plenty of room. I also am using this box.for some other seedlings and such so there are a couple oaks and some red maples dotting the landscape that will be removed at next repot.

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What are you using as soil? That maple is kicking butt
 
The buds don't look like sugar maple buds to me. They are typically more pointed with clear scales. I suspect you actually have a Norway maple. Not that it changes much on how you approach the tree, but for accuracy's sake.
 
It's possible, however the sap is clear on this tree, instead of the whiter sap on a Norway, which is why I am assuming it is Sugar. Could be either, for sure.
 
End of year. Needs a repot... been a couple years. Marked so will probably do that in late Feb or March.

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Close Up of roots.
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Top view for angles/depth
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Larger scar callousing over
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Repotted today. Later than previous but with the mild winter and night temps moving towards high 30's low 40s figured why not. Shouldnt have any issues. Moved it into a smaller training pot.

Need to grow it out unrestrained now for this year and fertilize. New soil mix for this is 20% perlite, 25% shredded bark, 25% DE 8822, 30% saf-tsorb. I like this mix a lot. Drains well, holds moisture, and the bark seems to help initiate moss growth. I may decrease the perlite in favor of crushed red stone chips for weight and I may explore adding some compost in for my deciduous which like water to help retain moisture. I may experiment with red maples first in that area.

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One of the other reasons for repotting this tree is I want to use the box for a juniper im digging from next to my parent's driveway. Its a bit sprawling so i need a wide low box for it. That project will be a long term regrow project. It will get its own thread in a day or two. Was going to dig it tomorrow.
 
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This is a Norway Maple... bursting with white sap this morning from pruning.

Photobombed by Koala
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Brought in for the end of year measurement... at soil base, 2.12" across just above the root flare. Plan on letting grow next year mostly. Maybe some light pruning. May experiment with defoliation early / mid summer followed by a fertilization to inspire some ramification. Not super happy with the direction of growth on the end branch... needs some wire or something.

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Cleaned up today, wired a few branches. Going to try and further emphasize the clear rightward movement and continur pushing branching in that direction. Interestingly the split scar has almost totally disappeared and is not that recognizeable at all. I think it can go one more year without a repot.


Before cleanup.
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After cleanup.
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Top down.
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Back.
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Potential new front with slight counterclockwise turn.
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