Trident Maple

[Eric Group]

Nope. As I see it, there are 3 major "bar" branches at the lower clump (maybe more smaller ones) ...as I said remove the left and front only...leaving the right branch.

please do not butcher that tree like this!

It looks beautiful as it is, and I agree with view three- virtually untouched, just keep developing ramification. Might even look better with more branches between the two levels as opposed to removing more!

Looks fine to me though- No need to remove any of those Branches!

 

[fourteener]

I think this case illustrates the cookie-cutter-bonsai-first-reaction-syndrome. At first glance you see this tree and can identify a couple 'flaws.' It's a normal reaction to recommend fixing those. But then you'd be taking what really is a beautiful tree and trying very hard to make it into a standard form tree. Why not just make that standard form tree from some other tree that isn't so far along or from one that already has branches in the 'correct' positions? Why not just let this tree be the tree that it's already become and let some other tree be the standard tree?
The leafed out photo is beautiful. Nice black background!
Ian

Do you want it to look good today, or do you want to cut it so it looks good 5 years from now. Sometimes threes steps forward requires two steps back. It's not cutting cookies, it solving problems before they become insurmountable without starting over.

 

[fraser67]

I agree with Eric Groups comment. Develop ramification and work on the crown. But the tree would benefit from a couple well placed grafts. I wouldn't cut... Jmo
Best,
Jonathan

 

[GarrettZ]

I think this tree has a certain appeal currently, even though it is breaking some of the "holy rules". I understand not wanting to screw it up...

However, you need to think ahead as well. Will this tree continue to have the same appeal if there is an unsightly bulge in the center? Because that's what will happen if you let 3 branches grow from one place on the trunk. I would fix it now... Maybe a compromise would be to get rid of 1 of the 3 branches in the middle (probably the "eye poker")...

It is not about making this tree a cookie cutter bonsai, it is about taking actions now to prevent future problems that would ruin the appeal of the tree.

 

[Poink88]

Do you want it to look good today, or do you want to cut it so it looks good 5 years from now. Sometimes threes steps forward requires two steps back. It's not cutting cookies, it solving problems before they become insurmountable without starting over.

I think this tree has a certain appeal currently, even though it is breaking some of the "holy rules". I understand not wanting to screw it up...

However, you need to think ahead as well. Will this tree continue to have the same appeal if there is an unsightly bulge in the center? Because that's what will happen if you let 3 branches grow from one place on the trunk. I would fix it now... Maybe a compromise would be to get rid of 1 of the 3 branches in the middle (probably the "eye poker")...

It is not about making this tree a cookie cutter bonsai, it is about taking actions now to prevent future problems that would ruin the appeal of the tree.

Thanks...exactly what I was pointing out.

Building with a proper foundation is the key but some only see now and not willing to step back. As posted on the "what I learned" thread...we need foresight. Some seem to miss it still.

 

[coh]

Do you want it to look good today, or do you want to cut it so it looks good 5 years from now. Sometimes threes steps forward requires two steps back. It's not cutting cookies, it solving problems before they become insurmountable without starting over.

Well, that's the question. I haven't decided for myself which approach I want to take. Despite its flaws, this is one of the most "advanced" trees I currently own, and it does look nice in person if you don't examine the base part of the branches too closely. I might just keep this one basically "as is" for now, and as other trees in my collection improve (hopefully), reconsider a major overhaul in the future.

I'm also going to try to get this tree to a workshop for some additional input. Perhaps some of those branches can be moved more than I would think (by someone who knows what they're doing)

Chris

 

[coh]

I agree with Eric Groups comment. Develop ramification and work on the crown. But the tree would benefit from a couple well placed grafts. I wouldn't cut... Jmo
Best,
Jonathan

I think well placed grafts will be necessary (if for nothing else, to fill in the bare parts of the upper trunk)...and ultimately some of those lower branches may need to be removed and re-grown as well. But I'm going to evaluate other options first.

Chris

 

[coh]

I think this tree has a certain appeal currently, even though it is breaking some of the "holy rules". I understand not wanting to screw it up...

However, you need to think ahead as well. Will this tree continue to have the same appeal if there is an unsightly bulge in the center? Because that's what will happen if you let 3 branches grow from one place on the trunk. I would fix it now... Maybe a compromise would be to get rid of 1 of the 3 branches in the middle (probably the "eye poker")...

It is not about making this tree a cookie cutter bonsai, it is about taking actions now to prevent future problems that would ruin the appeal of the tree.

It may not be really evident in the photos I posted (I can get some others if it would help). But that lower area is made up of two major branches that emanate at slightly different levels, not exactly the same. Each of those two major branches splits almost immediately into two branches. Unfortunately those branches move in somewhat inconsistent ways and don't really appear to "go together" for lack of a better term.

There is a third small branch that comes out in the same general area, it is the very small, young branch that shoots off to the upper right. That one almost looks like a thread graft but I don't know why someone would have done that there. I have to evaluate whether it would be better to keep that one and develop it into a major branch. That's the one I was thinking of allowing to elongate for grafting (and then eventual removal).

Thanks for your comments!

Chris

 

[JudyB]

This tree is full of opportunity for learning on. Tridents are good that way. Even mistakes can be fixed over time and you'd never know there were flaws, unlike some species. I think your plan of taking it to a workshop if there is a good teacher is a great plan. I also like the third photo in the op. I wouldn't be cutting on it till I had a plan for the future...
J