Novice advice: How to chop japanese maple to get a new leader.

[deadcs]

Hi, I`m working on several japanese maples and need to chop to get new leaders.



Where would you chop:

Option 1



Or option 2



Which one do you use?

 

[rockm]

Do NOT make. “Final” chop that will be the final design of the tree. That approach can limit your option.

Instead chop two three or four inches ABOVE where you see the final chop should be designwise

Leaving a bit more trunk than necessary can lead to more apex bud choices when the tree responds.

Of course, You can also chop back to an existing branch but the placement may be exactly wrong for that existing branch

Before making g a chop it is absolutely necessary to look at the nebari and find the front (best presentation) of the root base. When you find it plan a chop to produce apex budding that pairs with the front.

If you make the chop with out this consideration you may wind up hiding the best of the nebari ( and trunk movement - which is also a clop consideration)

 

[eplov90]

@rockm is giving you the right process, especially if you want to take your time and work with the buds the tree gives you.

If you have already selected the front, based on observing the roots/nebari, and are confident in the existing branch as the continuation of the apex, I would go with Option 2. Since it's a maple, thread grafts are very easy and I would just plan ahead to graft in a new branch at the base of the slanted chop on the right and you can put it exactly where you want it.

Please keep in mind I wouldn't do the final chop until mid-summer or so and I wouldn't have felt confident in the techniques for the above in the first 1/2 years doing bonsai so taking your time is never a bad idea.

 

[leatherback]

Yup, cut right across the trunk, quite a bit above the area you want to keep (I would leave a node or 2).
Do this when the tree is in active growth (I like mid-spring).

Do this ideally only for healthy, well established trees and not trees recently repotted, so you get the best responce

 

[Shibui]

I've found it depends how strong the new leader is.
If the branch that is to be the new leader is weak, definitely cut above and wait for the new leader to start growing strong before doing the final chop.
If the branch that's to become the new leader is healthy and strong I'm happy to make the final cut right away.
If the new leader is very weak or only a bud, I reduce the old leader slowly until the new option is growing well. Chopping blind can lead to part of the trunk dying back past where you want.

Where the chop is smaller I'll go direct to the angled cut, provided the new leader is strong enough to take over. This is usually the case when reducing branches or near the apex rather than way down the trunk.

For the final chop definitely option 2.
Many people think option 1 is better because that allows the opposite bud to become a side branch. The reality is that chop will never look natural. The abrupt chop may never grow out as the branch continues to thicken the trunk below thus adding to the lack of taper.
Option 2 - slanted chop does not mean no side branch. There are more buds at the base of the new leader. After the chop some of those will usually start growing to give you options for side or back branches but the angle cut gives much more natural taper in the trunk.