Small Japanese Maple

[JudyB]

Here's a look at my shohin maple after wiring and a bit of pruning today. I thought I had a thread on this tree, but not so much... Guess I do now. First pic is the current front, second one is a slight counter clock turn for a possible new front next year. I like the back on this one too! But the apex is going the other way... I could redo and turn it, or just see where it takes me, it is in a round pot after all.

 

[Dav4]

Nice little tree with a fantastic base and root spread.

 

[JudyB]

It's kind of the puny cousin of piglet!

 

[Lars Grimm]

Very nice. Can you give some more info on the size and the backstory to the tree. I am very impressed by the degree of nebari for such a small specimen.

 

[JudyB]

I do not know much about this tree. I bought it from an ebay vendor last winter. It was actually listed as Deshojo, but when the leaves came out green, it was obviously mislabeled as that cultivar. It appears to just be straight up palmatum.

 

[MACH5]

Nice tree Judy! Very likely a Japanese import. I am liking the "back" of it better at this moment. It feels more tree-like than the other view with a nice spread at the base. I would almost build a sort of informal broom out of it.

 

[JudyB]

Nice tree Judy! Very likely a Japanese import. I am liking the "back" of it better at this moment. It feels more tree-like than the other view with a nice spread at the base. I would almost build a sort of informal broom out of it.

Yes it is a Japanese import of that I'm sure. That scar is pretty much never going to disappear on the back, and the apex of the tree lays way back from that side too. I'd probably have to graft some stuff to use the back, but I agree that this side has it's appeal, and is not out of the running.

 

[MACH5]

Yes it is a Japanese import of that I'm sure. That scar is pretty much never going to disappear on the back, and the apex of the tree lays way back from that side too. I'd probably have to graft some stuff to use the back, but I agree that this side has it's appeal, and is not out of the running.

Although visible, it looks closed up? It may never disappear but it gives it some character. Some scrapping around the calloused area will help to blend it in a bit more. I can see the apex leaning away, but a thread graft right through the top will create a new apex. Other views can work of course, but at the moment I see only a head with short stubby arms?

 

[JudyB]

I see only a head with short stubby arms?

Ha! That's funny, but so true
I'll start that thread graft as soon as I get a long enough whip. No reason not to whichever side gets used. There may need to be more than one at the top, it seems a bit too open too far up on this side. The old scar is closed, but it is certainly very visible. I'll do some scraping in the spring to see if that helps. I would like to use this side, the shape of the limbs are appealing.

 

[Giga]

What a fantastic tree! Didn't know you where hiding this one

 

[JudyB]

I'm pretty sure it's popped up here in passing, just didn't realize I didn't have a thread on it. But I've only had it for a little over a year now. Thanks @Giga.

 

[Smoke]

What makes you guys think this would be a Japanese import?

Not being flip, just would like to know what people on the east coast thinks makes a tree likely from Japan.

 

[JudyB]

What makes you guys think this would be a Japanese import?

Not being flip, just would like to know what people on the east coast thinks makes a tree likely from Japan.

I know it was an import because of who the vendor was. I've gotten other trees from him and know that is where his stock comes from.

 

[Smoke]

I know it was an import because of who the vendor was. I've gotten other trees from him and know that is where his stock comes from.

Well that makes sense. I was just unimpressed with the nature of the material being from Japan. I get a sense of, "let's send it to America they will buy anything".

 

[Vin]

Judy, I'm not trying to give advice because I'm just learning myself. So, for me, the left branch seems too heavy. I hope you don't mind but I took the liberty of adjusting it slightly to see the result. With a little more movement in the only unwired branch you'll have a much more natural looking branch IMO.

 

[JudyB]

Judy, I'm not trying to give advice because I'm just learning myself. So, for me, the left branch seems too heavy. I hope you don't mind but I took the liberty of adjusting it slightly to see the result. With a little more movement in the only unwired branch you'll have a much more natural looking branch IMO.

View attachment 126554

Hey Vin, I appreciate any and all constructive critique and suggestions. I agree that the branch is very heavy. This tree is a bit of an oddball, and I haven't yet decided if I want to make it conform to an ideal. I have seen trees (natural) that have a branch that has this aspect, matter of fact one of my favorite Beech that I've ever seen has this strong arm type branch. I don't know what I'll do with this as of yet, but I may wind up doing exactly what you are suggesting. In any event, I will get some wire on that last branch, don't know quite why I left that one out!
Thanks!

 

[JudyB]

let's send it to America they will buy anything"

I think this is exactly what happens. I think we basically get the cast-offs.
So I take it you do not think the tree has potential?

 

[Smoke]

On the contrary. I have many books, a huge library of books from Japan. Trees that are really single edged razor blades. So sharp they will cut you.

I look at this tree and hear its an import and wonder why someone would go to all the trouble of building a nebari and then treat it so terribly by cutting it back so short and allowing it to grow into a claw. I feel as if it was prepared for a smaller pot by "cutting to fit" and then sold that way. No bonsai should be cut to fit, as Brian and I talked about his tree, it happens by reducing over a period of years and refining along the way.

Then the shape of the tree. The shortness of the trunk coupled with the large swell of nebari and the swell of the trunk at those two large branches gives the trunk a wasp-waist effect which is not especially appealing on maples.

I just see lots of faults on a very small tree which probably cost lots of money. (the Japanese import aspect)

I think a very quick fix would be to just plant it a little lower in the pot and get rid of that claw feeling. Of course over the years I have demonstrated my need for reducing maples to a trunk and starting over. That's just me though, don't let my opinions diminish your feelings for the tree. It's still a fascinating tree, and will only get better with age.

 

[JudyB]

Thank you for the assessment of the tree Al, I agree that it's not in any way a "good" specimen of a Japanese built tree. But I do think that lots of trees that come out of there, are indeed sort of throwaways for them.

I see a tree that was not looked after in the development process until it got out of hand and there was too much thickness in places to cure, so it was just sold off. Although the large chop site is well healed, so it's not been totally mishandled. I didn't spend a fortune on this little tree, but I see something in it's oddities. It brings to mind a mastiff, or clydesdale in small form. Blocky instead of delicate.

I will not change this feel the tree has, instead hope to capitalize on them. Part of the thing that isn't visible in photos is that there is movement on those two thick branches off the trunk, so they are not as ungraceful as they appear. I agree about the roots in the current back of the tree, but I think the front roots are not as bad, they taper instead of just chop off, (part of the reason for choosing this front) I'll try to bury the back a bit.
I see beautiful old trees with these same branch aspects around me, although it's exaggerated in this small form. I actually got the tree because of these, not in spite of them. But that's just me
You have the right word- fascinating.... and will be fun to see how it looks in 5 years.

 

[abqjoe]

IDK, for me I find a lot of appeal in what most would consider imperfections and I am actually quite fond of gnarly tree's or tree's that look kind of spooky to me. In fact, the first time I saw the fat little Maple that I got from Don my first impressions were "it doesn't look like a real tree". But then the crazy little sucker just started to grow on me to the point that I couldn't get it out of my head lol. I like your tree! Great nebari and a fat little trunk, show's some age, and just kind of says "here I am pricks, love me or hate me I am strong and I am staying" lol. I like your tree in the same way that I like a lion that is covered in scars, or an old gun that is covered in patina, it's called character..... Congrats on the score