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Acer Palmatum
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Author:  Koren [ 31 Dec 2017, 19:36 ]
Post subject:  Acer Palmatum
Acer Palmatum I picked up on the cheap a couple of years ago. I've layered off the top to get rid of the graft and it's had a whole year growing on its own roots. I think the next stage is to deal with the three trunks growing from the same spot:

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I can see three real options:

1) Keep Right Trunk. Looks a bit disjointed and not quite right to me:
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2) Keep Left Trunk. Looks better, bit better taper into the first branch and second trunk section?:
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3) Lose the back trunk, keep both of these, but shorten one. I think they're too similar thickness for this to look good:
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Any thoughts?

Edit: Sorry for out of focus pics on some of them, hadn;t realised they were like that.
Author:  Brahma [ 31 Dec 2017, 19:55 ]
Post subject:  Re: Acer Palmatum
First off, well done for the graft - always good to get a successful one done!

Another option might be to keep all three trunks and try for a triple trunk composition? Although you might need trunks that grow straight up to carry that off - yours look like they curve out a little at the bottom?

That said, I think option 2 looks best - you have a primary branch / or second trunk nicely placed.

What's your favoured option?
Author:  Sizzla [ 31 Dec 2017, 20:10 ]
Post subject:  Re: Acer Palmatum
I also like number two. Number three looks a little slingshot. Number one would need an angle change for me
Author:  Gary Jones [ 31 Dec 2017, 21:55 ]
Post subject:  Re: Acer Palmatum
My preference is #2 as well.
Author:  Koren [ 31 Dec 2017, 22:17 ]
Post subject:  Re: Acer Palmatum
Cheers guys. I think 2 is the better option as well. Good to have some reassurance from people more experienced though. I'm always wary of timings with Japanese Maples - just before bud break a good time? Or now before sap flow starts?

Brahma wrote:
First off, well done for the graft - always good to get a successful one done!


Thanks, was my first attempt at it! Unfortunately my subsequent attempts weren't so successful, but that's another story. Yeah, I think the triple trunks would look odd, I'd be happier losing one.
Author:  Brendan [ 08 Jan 2018, 12:57 ]
Post subject:  Re: Acer Palmatum
If you haven't decided yet then consider that either options 1 or 2 are good depending on which one has the better branch structure higher up.

I would not chop this until well into the growing season, as acers hate wet wounds and in spring they will bleed sap. Onlt once it is growing strong will a chop heal. Late spring early summer IMO. But check with acer pros like Paulpash and especially Will (Astley)
Author:  darreng [ 08 Jan 2018, 20:20 ]
Post subject:  Re: Acer Palmatum
I’m new here and definitely not an expert. But my opinion would be to go with 2) but remove the right-hand trunk as well. For me, it’s too awkward and relatively thick for a branch and the angle doesn’t work for a second trunk.

I’d go for a taller more elegant single trunk design :)
Author:  Koren [ 09 Jan 2018, 11:28 ]
Post subject:  Re: Acer Palmatum
Thanks Brendan. Will bear that in mind and chop in summer. I think #1 has *slightly* better branch structure (not enough to make a difference imo), but #2 has a better trunk line.

Darren, that might work, I can always chop more off later though so will just remove one for now. Don't think I want to cause too much scar tissue or whatever you call it.
Author:  darreng [ 09 Jan 2018, 11:40 ]
Post subject:  Re: Acer Palmatum
How do you get on growing maples in pond baskets? I have 7 or so young trees that will need potting up come spring...
Author:  Koren [ 10 Jan 2018, 09:53 ]
Post subject:  Re: Acer Palmatum
This was my first maple, and the only one I have in a pond basket. It went straight into the basket after separating the air layer, which I think was early autumn 2016. It grew so strongly that by leaf-fall, the roots had reached the edge of the pot. It seems to have grown well over the last year - but I don't have much of a frame of reference.
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