Trident/red maple

[Bonsai White Belt]

I would like to get a trident or dwarf red maple. I currently live in a condo and can't plant it or can put on south facing deck. In a year plan is to move so would like to be able to plant and replant on move. If not I'll probably dig it up and turn into bonsai. Maybe I'll buy 2 anyway lol. I live in zone6 and was wondering suggested age and when would be best time to obtain one. I want it now but I get it id I am better off waiting.

 

[Shibui]

I assume by 'dwarf red maple' you mean one of the Japanese maple varieties but if there is another dwarf red maple available that may change the following advice.

Japanese maples do have wonderful color but... Trident maple is far hardier than JM. Trident maple will manage with more sun, less water and slightly hotter conditions than JM. Trident maple responds to pruning and most bonsai techniques better than JM so beginner mistakes are easier to correct after the fact. Trident maple leaves and internodes reduce far more than JM so you can get far better branch structure and proportions. Trident grow much faster than JM so not only will you be able to develop a bonsai quicker but should also be able to buy a more advanced tree with better structure trident for the same $ initially.

For beginners I would recommend trident maple every time. Leave JM until you have had some experience.

Age has very little to do with bonsai. Well grown and cared for trees can develop into great looking trees in just a few years. I've seen some trees claiming to be far older that look terrible. Size has more to do with how the tree was grown than just years of age.
Best advice is to buy the best you can afford. That will vary for each individual but paying someone else to have spent the time developing trunk and branches will often save years of your time and many mistakes and back tracks to remedy those.
The best time to get one is when it is available. They will come in pots so can move without any problems for the tree. Most trees will adjust to a change in location without too many problems.
Winter is a good time to select your tree because it is easier to see the trunk, branches and any faults that may be hidden by leaves but a good looking tree is still a good looking tree no mater what time of year.
If you plan to do bonsai work like repotting, etc late winter or spring before the leaves is the best time for that. Buy in summer and you will have itchy fingers for the rest of the year but if you can resist the urge to jump straight in any time of year.
Also consider what stage/ sort of tree you plan to buy. A tree already in a bonsai pot is more expensive but has already had much of the work done but be aware that all bonsai are not good bonsai. Some online retailers sell cheap and nasty crap to beginners. Starter tree in a nursery pot needs a lot more work to become bonsai. Lots of traps for beginners like ugly graft on Japanese maple cultivars, all branches higher up the trunk, main trunk straight with no taper, upper branches can be thick.

Lots of preliminary research will pay dividends. There is no one right answer to any bonsai question so you will need to make your own decisions based on your aspirations, finance and conditions.

 

[HorseloverFat]

I have 3-4 rubrum seedlings that grew all their sets... buuut are only 3-5” tall... Dwarf Red Maples like that?

Just kidding! Those are MINE!

I just saw that Shibui pretty much covered it.. buuut I was still here.

 

[Scrogdor]

I just got into bonsai this summer. I unfortunately live in an apt as well with a top floor balcony that is north facing. Luckily , because I'm on the top floor all my trees get at least a few hours of direct sunlight. I think you're fine putting a pre-bonsai tree out on your deck. I definitely agree with Shibui, my first pre-bonsai was a trident maple, and it's taken a beating. I've overwatered it, repotted it twice out of season, and generally stressed the heck out of it, and it's fine. I've also fallen for a lot of beginner traps like he mentioned above, I bought a Japanese maple that was grafted, I didn't know it was a graft until later. Also have bought some trees that really didn't have great potential because of limited branches.

I only have one bonsai that came pre-styled in a pot, and found that I get pretty bored. So now I only buy pre-bonsai that I can work on and watch grow. Personally, I'd recommend getting one tree now that you can get familiar with so you can learn about what you like. On the flip side though, you could go get one in the late winter so you can actually work on it in the spring.

 

[penumbra]

If you want a maple that will be a future bonsai go with a trident. If you want a maple as a container plant, go with a JM. You will have a large variety to choose from with decidedly different feature. I have at least 12-15 JM that I have no intention of turning into bonsai. I simple love collecting them for their beauty and variety.
I have several young trident maple that I am developing for no other purpose than bonsai.

 

[Bonsai White Belt]

If you want a maple that will be a future bonsai go with a trident. If you want a maple as a container plant, go with a JM. You will have a large variety to choose from with decidedly different feature. I have at least 12-15 JM that I have no intention of turning into bonsai. I simple love collecting them for their beauty and variety.
I have several young trident maple that I am developing for no other purpose than bonsai.

Any recommendations on where to get quality?

 

[Bonsai Orange County]

I’ve ordered Maples from Evergreen Gardenworks and Mr. Maple and can vouch for both. Nice people and variety.