How would you style this acer palmatum.

[Tieball]

I don't think it's ever going to make for a good traditional JM.

Going towards the Cosmic or Tim Burton-style design is probably the way I would go. Just embrace how funky it is and continue to push it further and further in that direction with crazy twists and turns.

I like this direction. I can easily visualize the twisted tree of nightmares.

 

[Tieball]

I thought I’d just work for growth on the right branches, choosing one of the two branches developing to become dominant….probably the more upright of the two but still moving that wired branch down some and away from straight up. And then, carve the back right away….likely joining with the current inside hollow. The back will begin to mimic the front image for a new interest. Just my outsider view….and I can’t see the back side really.

 

[Sixty’s]

I don't think it's ever going to make for a good traditional JM.

Going towards the Cosmic or Tim Burton-style design is probably the way I would go. Just embrace how funky it is and continue to push it further and further in that direction with crazy twists and turns.

I really like that ideas, can’t find a style more funky that cosmic.

 

[Sixty’s]

Embrace the funky - "This is the way"

I completely forgot about this style, cosmic would go with the mess at the bottom of the tree. It would be one of those just for fun projects.

 

[Sixty’s]

I thought I’d just work for growth on the right branches, choosing one of the two branches developing to become dominant….probably the more upright of the two but still moving that wired branch down some and away from straight up. And then, carve the back right away….likely joining with the current inside hollow. The back will begin to mimic the front image for a new interest. Just my outsider view….and I can’t see the back side really.View attachment 566247

I like that idea, i’ll have to see next season if it’s possible to join the front with the back without major scaring.



This is how the back currently looks like



This is the style I was aiming initially for the top of the tree although cosmic is a good shout also just not sure if a maple would be a good specimen for the scaring involved in the method.

 

[Cadillactaste]

Definitely a gnarly base. Does it need to have twisting branches? I don't think so. Can it...of course. But...I think, we need to not get all tied up on what trees should be. I do appreciate a traditional canopy on less normal trunks. End of the day...do what speaks to you. What you will enjoy.

Not melted base...but a crazy one. With a traditional top.

 

[TrevorLarsen]

I love this tree so far. It’s very unique which isn’t very common with JMs. I agree you should not make the top into a “traditional” JM.