Double Apexes Maple ?

[vp999]

Hello guys ! I acquired this shohin JM recently and I’m a bit confused… As you can see in the pics it appear that the tree has double apexes… Or is one of them from the side branch overgrown? This was an expensive imported tree so I don’t think the tree has been neglect. What do you guys think and please educate me on this matter. Thank you in advance

 

[BonsaiMatt]

I would ditch the one on the left, looks like an overgrown branch as you said. The right side looks older (bark, taper) and has nice side branches.

Legally imported trees usually spend time in quarantine, where they can get a bit overgrown. Just a guess.

 

[Piedmont Bonsai]

It was probably a side branch that is over grown.
Just because it was imported doesn’t necessarily mean it wasn’t neglected. Its in desperate need of cutback all across the tree where internodes are too long and branches are too thick

 

[Hack Yeah!]

Is there something reasonable in this area to pull around to continue this branch out?

 

[Bonsai Nut]

You are absolutely right, there are two apexes, and you get to choose which one you want to use You cannot keep both.

The fast and easy solution would be to cut at (1) in my image. However that leaves you with a short stumpy tree without a lot of character. I would want to see the tree first-hand before I decided, but based on your photo I might be tempted to cut at (2), which will take a while to heal, but will leave you with a better trunk line long term.

 

[vp999]

I’ll take some better pics tomorrow since it’s dark now, seeing the tree in person cutting #1 would be the better option. Thanks !

 

[Piedmont Bonsai]

I’ll take some better pics tomorrow since it’s dark now, seeing the tree in person cutting #1 would be the better option. Thanks !

I would cut 1 but you need a branch in that space. If possible find something smaller to cut back to. If not you can always thread graft a new branch there in the future

 

[Shibui]

Definitely lots of recent shoots that have long internodes which is normal for Spring growth of JM but it does need to be addressed to maintain both taper and ramification, especially in shohin sized trees.

Nothing wrong with multiple apices - in the right place, but that's probably not here.
I would definitely use cut 1 above BUT move that cut up slightly above those short internodes. Cut 1 as marked forces the new branch out horizontal - not natural for JM, even less natural for the upper parts of a tree. It also leaves us with a new shoot that has very long internode so will need to be chopped close to the base and it is very close to the branch below.
Chopping a little higher allows the new branch to grow up and out. Far more natural growth habit for JM and will fill the space better. Looking at the previous structure I'm confident that would have been the original design intent.
To fill the space, that branch needs to grow up and out but also should be subordinate to the real apex.

 

[Jorgens86]

How much it costs??

 

[bwaynef]

I'd cut the young apex back to about where @Hack Yeah! highlighted. That preserves the best trunkline ...which happens to preserve the best bark.

 

[namnhi]

I'd cut the young apex back to about where @Hack Yeah! highlighted. That preserves the best trunkline ...which happens to preserve the best bark.

+1

 

[ponderingsage]

If it were mine, I’d look at old maples on your area and then make a decision. Do you want a pine form tree or more of a natural maple… figured l would swim against the current and suggest the natural form in the tread since mo one has yet

 

[Gabler]

If it were mine, I’d look at old maples on your area and then make a decision. Do you want a pine form tree or more of a natural maple… figured l would swim against the current and suggest the natural form in the tread since mo one has yet

Normally, I like deciduous trees with multiple apices, but in this case, the tree was clearly styled as a sumo, and it might look funny to stick an extra apex on it. It seems like it would take more work to get a decent multiple-apex design.

 

[ponderingsage]

Normally, I like deciduous trees with multiple apices, but in this case, the tree was clearly styled as a sumo, and it might look funny to stick an extra apex on it. It seems like it would take more work to get a decent multiple-apex design.

Yeah… totally get that too. Makes sense.