My very big, very ugly, very problematic JM.

[Nybonsai12]

I made a bad purchase. And what’s worse is I knew it going in. I had heard the stories about the seller. I had seen the pics and I still talked myself into buying this tree. It’s a shit storm of faults. This was my last deciduous purchase before I started having chronic fungal issues on deciduous in my garden. But until I kill it, I will keep working it. And I’ll share it here because I like making people laugh. I purchased this tree approx two years ago from the growing grounds.

Here how it arrived, yes that’s the tree poking through the top! Shittiest packing job ever.


Well let’s open it up and see what’s inside! Broken branches!

Broken branch hanging on by a piece of wire.


Scars? We got those, that’s not even the big one. Funny base, check!


Here is a full body shot.


So since it’s here and I’m not yet ready to burn it, I repotted it. Absolutely murdered the large downward roots which were everywhere. Pity I didn’t take an underside pic.

 

[Nybonsai12]

It grew pretty well for me, I cleaned up the gigantic scars and let it do it’s thing.


Dead spot on trunk?

 

[Smoke]

Thats a great tree. What are you talking about?

 

[Smoke]

Oh damn, sorry you are not done.

 

[Nybonsai12]

Here it is recently. I am going back and forth about repotting within the next few weeks. It was only done a year ago and I would like to get away with it for another year if I could but am unsure. I will likely prune and wire in the next few weeks for shape so that when it’s in leaf it won’t look as horrible. Still fun to be had with this one yet.

 

[Underdog]

I would be thrilled to have that beast to work on. Quit banging on it. Great trunk

 

[Wilson]

@Underdog although instead of pancake nebari, its got dog poop nebari! But seriously I would enjoy the tree too.

 

[Dav4]

Hey, I recognize that top notch packaging job!! I bet that tree grew in the backyard of some brick ranch in North Carolina. Despite the faults, it’s got a great trunk and will be very impressive once you work them all out, and you’ll have a lot of fun doing it over the next decade or so… Seriously, You’re going to have fun with this one.

And I’d repot it this year, but put it into a wooden box to work on those roots

 

[Nybonsai12]

Hey, I recognize that top notch packaging job!! I bet that tree grew in the backyard of some brick ranch in North Carolina. Despite the faults, it’s got a great trunk and will be very impressive once you work them all out, and you’ll have a lot of fun doing it over the next decade or so… Seriously, You’re going to have fun with this one.

And I’d repot it this year, but put it into a wooden box to work on those roots

Thanks Dave.
I had a cedar box built last year, but at repot time it was just too small for my comfort. Next repot it is destined for a box.

 

[MrWunderful]

I think it has a great foundation.

One of my bloodgoods has a very similar base.

 

[Nanuk]

I think with some time and love it will turn out to be right nice.
I kind of like it, a lot.

Gnarly for sure.

 

[j evans]

I too like it, would look good in my yard. Keep at it!

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Easier said than done, but have you considered ground-layering it to improve the base?

 

[Bonsai Nut]

I'm with @Brian Van Fleet on this one. Start with the nebari and work your way up. Those old-time wrapped roots around the base are never going to go away. Start with a layer to fix the nebari, and everything else will fall in line.

 

[Nybonsai12]

Easier said than done, but have you considered ground-layering it to improve the base?

A good suggestion. I talked about it with Sergio and a layer was his suggestion as well to improve the Bib Fortuna looking base. Not too confident I can do it successfully but when it comes down to it, I know if I want the most out of this tree it is a step that will have to be taken.

 

[Nanuk]

Easier said than done, but have you considered ground-layering it to improve the base?

Somebody fill me in. Am I right in thinking a ground layer is like an air layer but at ground level?
Just trying to expand my knowledge a bit.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Somebody fill me in. Am I right in thinking a ground layer is like an air layer but at ground level?
Just trying to expand my knowledge a bit.

In a nutshell, yes.

In most cases a run-of-the-mill air-layer is usually a propagation technique to save an upper part of the tree that might be otherwise lost to pruning... or else to create a bonsai from a much larger piece of base material.

A ground layer is an air-layer executed as close to the ground as possible - to "start over" with a new nebari - surface roots and surface trunk flare.

 

[Colorado]

A good suggestion. I talked about it with Sergio and a layer was his suggestion as well to improve the Bib Fortuna looking base. Not too confident I can do it successfully but when it comes down to it, I know if I want the most out of this tree it is a step that will have to be taken.

View attachment 231255

Lol!!! Underrated post.

But I’m all seriousness that is quite a nice maple. I’d love to have it. Take the advice you’ve been given and go for a ground layer.

 

[TN_Jim]

you said whaaa!!?

 

[leatherback]

If this is your very ugly maple.. Please share the pretty stock you are working on!

As for layering.. Do I read it well you are concerned it goes wrong? I feel that on japanese maple you cannot mess up a layer.. I found them to be very responsive..