ROR Maple Creation

[yenling83]

Here’s a fun long term project I worked on recently. I airlayered this tree in May 2025 by ring barking the trunk and using a wire tourniquet with rooting hormone. 1/1/26, I removed the layer and planted it onto this Ibi stone I got many years ago in Japan. I buried the majority of the stone and will continue developing the trunk and roots which I want to cling to the stone.

I’m not sure if I’m happy with the root placement or not. I plan to thicken the trunk and transition taper to new sections of the trunk. It’s hard for me to envision what the final creation will look like.
View attachment 625428

 

[Michigan Tree Murderer]

That stone is a beauty. I also enjoy seeing your rooting technique. Going to enjoy watching the progression.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Great tree, great stone. My question is the final scale of your composition. The tree (right now) feels small for the stone. The trunk line and low branching is for a smaller tree than what I think this stone deserves. However, you may already be far ahead of me and thinking of growing the tree out into a larger tree.

 

[Ruddigger]

I like the work. Like @Bonsai Nut I’m curious what size you envision the final tree.

I’m also curious if you normally repot deciduous this early. I usually wait until I see the buds moving, maybe I should experiment with earlier repots.

 

[yenling83]

Great tree, great stone. My question is the final scale of your composition. The tree (right now) feels small for the stone. The trunk line and low branching is for a smaller tree than what I think this stone deserves. However, you may already be far ahead of me and thinking of growing the tree out into a larger tree.

Thank you! Yes I absolutely plan to grow the tree larger, however I’m not exactly sure how large yet. I plan to keep growing it until it looks right to me. I can imagine the trunk being 2x-4x thicker than it currently is, and I will cut it back to a new leader in the future to improve trunk taper. Thank you Mr. Nut!

 

[yenling83]

I like the work. Like @Bonsai Nut I’m curious what size you envision the final tree.

I’m also curious if you normally repot deciduous this early. I usually wait until I see the buds moving, maybe I should experiment with earlier repots.

Yup tree will be much larger. Yes I repot starting after Christmas and usually finish up in late Feb. Our winters are so mild in So Cal that re potting timeframe is different than many other parts of the country. Thanks Ryan!