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Branch selection and apex on a Field Maple
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Author:  paulpash [ 30 Dec 2016, 11:46 ]
Post subject:  Re: Branch selection and apex on a Field Maple
Field maple doesn't have the really fine twigs of the palmatum family so plan your eventual height with this in mind. Carving indoors is a nightmare... You'll be finding dust & shavings months from now lol.
Author:  BobbyLane [ 30 Dec 2016, 13:53 ]
Post subject:  Re: Branch selection and apex on a Field Maple
I bought one of these outdoor patio heaters for my balcony, works quite well for the colder months..

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00 ... UTF8&psc=1

im still envious of those who have gardens and work sheds though :grin:
Author:  Gary Jones [ 30 Dec 2016, 17:25 ]
Post subject:  Re: Branch selection and apex on a Field Maple
I've got a garden but not a work shed. Just spent a couple of hours carving and almost froze solid. Gave up when my toes lost sensation.
Author:  Keith Hansell [ 30 Dec 2016, 18:28 ]
Post subject:  Re: Branch selection and apex on a Field Maple
paulpash wrote:
Field maple doesn't have the really fine twigs of the palmatum family so plan your eventual height with this in mind. Carving indoors is a nightmare... You'll be finding dust & shavings months from now lol.



So we are talking broom style and not a rounded apex.

My top shed, at the end of the garden, gets full sun and was lovely and warm whilst still frost on the lawn but no power to it.
Author:  paulpash [ 30 Dec 2016, 18:41 ]
Post subject:  Re: Branch selection and apex on a Field Maple
Keith Hansell wrote:
paulpash wrote:
Field maple doesn't have the really fine twigs of the palmatum family so plan your eventual height with this in mind. Carving indoors is a nightmare... You'll be finding dust & shavings months from now lol.



So we are talking broom style and not a rounded apex.

My top shed, at the end of the garden, gets full sun and was lovely and warm whilst still frost on the lawn but no power to it.


That's still possible - just be aware that you're aiming for a more naturalistic image with a field maple instead of the classic fine twigged one of say a zelkova or elm. Jerry has a lovely cute one he defoliates often to keep it small and in scale but one or two leaves on his represents the whole apex.

Sounds like the top shed would be ideal if you can get some juice in there :think:
Author:  Keith Hansell [ 30 Dec 2016, 21:26 ]
Post subject:  Re: Branch selection and apex on a Field Maple
paulpash wrote:
Keith Hansell wrote:
paulpash wrote:
Field maple doesn't have the really fine twigs of the palmatum family so plan your eventual height with this in mind. Carving indoors is a nightmare... You'll be finding dust & shavings months from now lol.



So we are talking broom style and not a rounded apex.

My top shed, at the end of the garden, gets full sun and was lovely and warm whilst still frost on the lawn but no power to it.


That's still possible - just be aware that you're aiming for a more naturalistic image with a field maple instead of the classic fine twigged one of say a zelkova or elm. Jerry has a lovely cute one he defoliates often to keep it small and in scale but one or two leaves on his represents the whole apex.

Sounds like the top shed would be ideal if you can get some juice in there :think:



The only juice in there so far has been the bottled kind. ;-)

I have just looked at Jerry's Flickr page and at the FM, thanks.
Author:  Keith Hansell [ 27 Apr 2017, 23:00 ]
Post subject:  Re: Branch selection and apex on a Field Maple
A quick update on this one.

I took the advice given and chopped the ugly top portion off. It was done in a mad rush of blood to the head moment, so no air layer. However given my failure with them so far, it's possibly not a bad thing. It now stands on the new bench I built at the weekend at the top of the garden. From the kitchen window it looks rather majestic, in fact more so than shown the picture. Therefore I have decided to leave it at this height and do the suggested carving work later in the year.

In its dormant months I also removed the larger branches from the top, giving it a more proportional look. i.e., branches getting thicker going up. This season will be trying to fatten the base of the trunk.




ImageIMG_20170425_121958 by Keith Hansell, on Flickr
Author:  Gary Jones [ 27 Apr 2017, 23:09 ]
Post subject:  Re: Branch selection and apex on a Field Maple
That's a more realistic height for it. What carving do you plan on later?
Author:  Keith Hansell [ 28 Apr 2017, 09:08 ]
Post subject:  Re: Branch selection and apex on a Field Maple
First I would like to see if the trunk will thicken at the base with leaving the lower branches to extend and some good feeding. This year I am not bothered about the leaf size as I know they will remain large with feeding. Hopefully once this has has happened, I am going (although depending on which way the wind is blowing I might change my mind) down the route that Brendan mentioned of a hollowed trunk (ish). How deep to go, I think will depend what it looks like as I progress.

The privet next to it came from my hedge about 18 months ago. I think a bit more practice on that one first before the maple.
Author:  Gary Jones [ 28 Apr 2017, 09:24 ]
Post subject:  Re: Branch selection and apex on a Field Maple
Yes - you'll need some taper in the upper half of the trunk. Hollowing it either from one side or down the middle (from the front) will make a big difference. Like you suggest I find that once you start a project your ideas progress and develop as get on with it so things might well change as you go along.
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