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Branch selection and apex on a Field Maple
http://weetrees.co.uk/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=15703		 Page 2 of 5
Author:  Keith Hansell [ 28 Dec 2016, 13:06 ]
Post subject:  Re: Branch selection and apex on a Field Maple
I covered the roots (nedari) recently to try and give it some protection over winter. Its a nice sunny day here but we had a very hard frost last night. At the moment I haven't decided on a front but I have taken some photo's this morning at eye level. The only place I could lift them up to take the shots was in the sun so they are not as sharp as I would like.

Keith
ImageIMG_20161228_112951 by Keith Hansell, on Flickr
ImageIMG_20161228_113007_BURST001_COVER by Keith Hansell, on Flickr
ImageIMG_20161228_113028 by Keith Hansell, on Flickr
Author:  BobbyLane [ 28 Dec 2016, 17:50 ]
Post subject:  Re: Branch selection and apex on a Field Maple
Well if it was mine i'd probably shorten it, you might like it tall though, if the inverse and long straight, taperless trunk doesnt bug you, then go for it mate.

this hornbeam was quite tall and straight to start with as well
https://www.flickr.com/photos/138823275 ... 5325336306
Author:  Gary Jones [ 28 Dec 2016, 23:40 ]
Post subject:  Re: Branch selection and apex on a Field Maple
If you go with Bobby's suggestion and have an extra year to wait you could layer off the top and then carve something interesting into that part.
Author:  Keith Hansell [ 29 Dec 2016, 15:35 ]
Post subject:  Re: Branch selection and apex on a Field Maple
BobbyLane wrote:
Well if it was mine i'd probably shorten it, you might like it tall though, if the inverse and long straight, taperless trunk doesnt bug you, then go for it mate.

this hornbeam was quite tall and straight to start with as well
https://www.flickr.com/photos/138823275 ... 5325336306



Strangely enough I was looking at your Hornbeam the other day and comparing it. Both nebari's are very similar. Waiting till the sun got onto the garden after last nights VERY hard frost, I took another look. I noticed that there was some sap bleed from the other days branch removals.

If I made a chop from the last branch up on the right hand side, looking at photo 1, this would reduce the tree from 50cm to 30cm, and I might possibly be able to use that right hand branch as a new leader ????
At the moment I am considering using photo 2 as the front, although turned slightly anti clockwise. Both photo's mentioned are from the last set I posted. I could still do the deep and long carving work, as Brendan originally suggested and you have done on the Hornbeam.
Author:  BobbyLane [ 29 Dec 2016, 16:29 ]
Post subject:  Re: Branch selection and apex on a Field Maple
Im guessing the nebari looks best from the 1 n 2 photos, so yeh i'd likely use that branch as a leader, i'd build an apex with both branches similar to what im doing with the hornbeam. i cut back the top leader because i dont plan on having one defined apex as both of the branches near the top will form one crown. if you want to grow up that branch as a leader then you will be waiting a long time for it to thicken. the advice ive given is with a broom style tree in mind, the straight trunk lends itself to this. if there are dormant buds around the base of those branches, i'd be tempted to cut both back to just over an inch and seal with paste. have a think first, my advice isnt always the best route, others may have different ideas :grin:
Author:  paulpash [ 29 Dec 2016, 16:59 ]
Post subject:  Re: Branch selection and apex on a Field Maple
Keith Hansell wrote:
I covered the roots (nedari) recently to try and give it some protection over winter. Its a nice sunny day here but we had a very hard frost last night. At the moment I haven't decided on a front but I have taken some photo's this morning at eye level. The only place I could lift them up to take the shots was in the sun so they are not as sharp as I would like.

Keith
ImageIMG_20161228_112951 by Keith Hansell, on Flickr
ImageIMG_20161228_113007_BURST001_COVER by Keith Hansell, on Flickr
ImageIMG_20161228_113028 by Keith Hansell, on Flickr


Just for information the field maple is one of the most hardy, bulletproof species we have in the UK. So far this winter has been like the carribean for it :)
Author:  Keith Hansell [ 29 Dec 2016, 19:44 ]
Post subject:  Re: Branch selection and apex on a Field Maple
PHEW..thanks Paul.

Yes you are right regarding the timescale for the new leader. Sunday I shall have some time on my hands so I will take another look.

Trawling the web looking at broom styles I came across this.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/brooklynb ... 99076@N08/
Author:  Gary Jones [ 29 Dec 2016, 19:45 ]
Post subject:  Re: Branch selection and apex on a Field Maple
I think the lower you go the quicker you'll get results. So cutting back to around the lowest significant branch (approx 25% of the current height) will be the quickest route. It'll take longer to rebuild from a 50-65% cut (the middle branches). I think if you leave as is you'll need to carve in some interest and I think that may be the hardest route to get right visually but that's just my thoughts. I think this is one of those cases where less is more so to speak - but that is often so hard to come to terms with - chopping off 75% or more of what you have. Bobby seems to have become much more comfortable with doing this as has been evidenced here and elsewhere. I've usually only reduced in stages - a small reduction and then come back later when I'm sure it needs more - big chops have usually been when some visiting expert at a workshop has shown no mercy on one of my trees.
Author:  BobbyLane [ 29 Dec 2016, 20:01 ]
Post subject:  Re: Branch selection and apex on a Field Maple
http://www.bonsai4me.com/AdvTech/ATHawt ... Series.htm

Image

http://ibonsaiclub.forumotion.com/t2285 ... our-brooms

Dont be quick to carve out the entire trunk, give it some thought. i kind of wish i'd left one side of my hornbeam clean now, luckily one side is hollow and the other side ive really just stripped the bark and there is just a Uro at the base, that is in fact the front, although the nebari is equally good from the other side. look at all the brooms in the above thread.
Author:  Keith Hansell [ 29 Dec 2016, 21:03 ]
Post subject:  Re: Branch selection and apex on a Field Maple
Gary...yes your right, it is hard to contemplate removing that much. However it is something I am still going to keep in mind. When I first saw this tree it was in full leaf and looked the part, although it was obvious it needed a prune. In my want for a taller tree, as mostly mine are smaller, I was blinded by the leaf and failed to see the upper problems. This year I have taken about three trees back by 60-75% that I have acquired mainly from garden centres.

Bobby...thanks again and loved the photo's in the link, something to aspire to. As I don't have outside power, my carving will have to wait till spring (unless I can sneak them indoors when the other half goes shopping) or at least a bit more sunshine so plenty of time to mull this one over.
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