Maple dug in spring from an azalea hedge and comments would help..

[Tim gannotta]

 

[Rid]

Put it back in the ground. Chop it low in the spring of 2020. Research chopping maples for bonsai trunk development.

 

[cbroad]

I think that is a sweetgum, would still probably make a better bonsai than a red maple.

It has some gnarlyness to it, I like it!

 

[raydomz]

Put it back in the ground. Chop it low in the spring of 2020. Research chopping maples for bonsai trunk development.

While I can understand why this comment is coming out so quickly, I would also take it with a grain of salt.

Sometimes it pays to have a tree that you are simply trying to keep alive and develop in to a thriving tree, in a pot.
The good thing is that it made it this far after being dug in the spring - nice work!
Don't do anything to it other than fertilize. What you are looking for (next year) is an abundance of long shoots (like what you've got up top).

Can I ask what kind of soil mix you're using?

 

[Tim gannotta]

I will get a Bosai Pot in Spring..

While I can understand why this comment is coming out so quickly, I would also take it with a grain of salt.

Sometimes it pays to have a tree that you are simply trying to keep alive and develop in to a thriving tree, in a pot.
The good thing is that it made it this far after correct being dug in the spring - nice work!
Don't do anything to it other than fertilize. What you are looking for (next year) is an abundance of long shoots (like what you've got up top).

Can I ask what kind of soil mix you're using?

just the soil I dug it with. Regular top soil. Your correct I just wanted to see
it survive. Sould I leave it alone or re pot with Bonsai Soil. Should I trim the new growth or just let it grow natural?

 

[raydomz]

I will get a Bosai Pot in Spring..

just the soil I dug it with. Regular top soil. Your correct I just wanted to see
it survive. Sould I leave it alone or re pot with Bonsai Soil. Should I trim the new growth or just let it grow natural?

Where are you located?

I would just leave it alone for now, no pruning, no repotting. Of course, if you're on the other side of the world and in an opposite season then it may be an ok time to repot but here, in August, is not the best time for that work. If you notice the soil having a hard time taking in water (re: water pools up or runs off) then I would take a chop stick/stick and poke holes in the soil for aeration. You also want to make sure the soil does not hold too much water creating a situation where roots rot. Take your stick and check the soil for dryness between waterings. Top soil can begin to look dry on the surface long before the deeper soil begins to dry out. If you are diligent, it will be fine until spring repotting season.

(dependent on location) I would take this action:
1. Summer/Fall '18 - Water and let grow. Keep an eye on water retention/absorption.
2. Spring '19 - repot in to bonsai soil and a bonsai pot (not entirely necessary), a nursery container would be fine too. If you are not familiar, look in to root pruning basics ahead of repotting. I would clip the long leader at the top of the tree down to 1-2 2 nodes at this time as well. It will encourage the lower branches to put out stronger growth.
3. Spring/summer '19 - water, fertilize, let grow. Take time to see how the tree grows and reacts to your work. You want strong growth in the spring which will likely taper off through the year.
4. Spring '20 - Hold off on repotting. If the tree is in good health and has produced strong growth over the past year, consider the future of the tree. By this time, you will likely have seen many other bonsai you admire and will start to envision how your tree may look in the future. Fight the urge to "style" it. What you want to do is set a course for the future, not "finish" the tree. www.bonsai4me.com is an excellent resource for years-long progressions of different species if you need some inspiration, information or just want to see that progress is possible over time. Harry Harrington's books are excellent as well.

I'm a "noob" by forum posting standards ("shohin" to be exact...) so please don't take my advice as gospel.
What I have learned in my relatively short time with bonsai is that the key to success lies in your ability to keep a tree healthy and thriving in a pot. Wire on a dead tree is sculpture at best.

 

[Saddler]

Where are you located?

I would just leave it alone for now, no pruning, no repotting. Of course, if you're on the other side of the world and in an opposite season then it may be an ok time to repot but here, in August, is not the best time for that work. If you notice the soil having a hard time taking in water (re: water pools up or runs off) then I would take a chop stick/stick and poke holes in the soil for aeration. You also want to make sure the soil does not hold too much water creating a situation where roots rot. Take your stick and check the soil for dryness between waterings. Top soil can begin to look dry on the surface long before the deeper soil begins to dry out. If you are diligent, it will be fine until spring repotting season.

(dependent on location) I would take this action:
1. Summer/Fall '18 - Water and let grow. Keep an eye on water retention/absorption.
2. Spring '19 - repot in to bonsai soil and a bonsai pot (not entirely necessary), a nursery container would be fine too. If you are not familiar, look in to root pruning basics ahead of repotting. I would clip the long leader at the top of the tree down to 1-2 2 nodes at this time as well. It will encourage the lower branches to put out stronger growth.
3. Spring/summer '19 - water, fertilize, let grow. Take time to see how the tree grows and reacts to your work. You want strong growth in the spring which will likely taper off through the year.
4. Spring '20 - Hold off on repotting. If the tree is in good health and has produced strong growth over the past year, consider the future of the tree. By this time, you will likely have seen many other bonsai you admire and will start to envision how your tree may look in the future. Fight the urge to "style" it. What you want to do is set a course for the future, not "finish" the tree. www.bonsai4me.com is an excellent resource for years-long progressions of different species if you need some inspiration, information or just want to see that progress is possible over time. Harry Harrington's books are excellent as well.

I'm a "noob" by forum posting standards ("shohin" to be exact...) so please don't take my advice as gospel.
What I have learned in my relatively short time with bonsai is that the key to success lies in your ability to keep a tree healthy and thriving in a pot. Wire on a dead tree is sculpture at best.

That is pretty solid advice. The only thing I would add is get yourself more trees if you find yourself always wanting to do something with this tree. Killing trees with love is a very real thing. Do some research on what makes a good tree and go to a big box store and see if you can find something cheap that has some potential. Don’t repot it, but use it to learn how to style it. You will kill it if you repot and style a tree the same day, don’t ask me how I know. Do your research on how to style whatever you buy. And keep it alive and try to make it grow vigorous.

 

[Tim gannotta]

Thanks for all the advice. Much appreciated. Should I be aiming for a conventional tree look or do something like pads ?

 

[Hack Yeah!]

Thanks for all the advice. Much appreciated. Should I be aiming for a conventional tree look or do something like pads ?

This depends on what you like. When did you collect the tree? You should probably leave it alone for at least the first year. I agree it looks like a sweetgum.

 

[MrFancyPlants]

sweet sweet gum.

The advice above is good, but I say if it survives until spring, transplant to decent bonsai soil.

I am going to buck conventional wisdom and say to skip straight to the refinement phase next year. Get some lime sulfur for that sweet deadwood, maybe even torch it a little with a flame (protecting the living parts with insulation and aluminum foil). You'll be the only person on the block with a bunjin sweet gum, and I am kind of jealous already.

 

[Tim gannotta]

Collected April 1st South New Jersey .. what is Lime Sulfur ?

 

[MrFancyPlants]

It bleaches and preserves deadwood, generally on junipers and pines. Some use wood hardener or even diluted super glue, but I forget the solvent on deciduous types.