Broom style with a Japanese maple?

[daern]

I recently collected a twenty year old Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) from a relative's house (found a dated, original tag deep in the soil when repotting it!), and as it had been cut low, I've put in the v-shaped cuts for a hokidachi (broom style), used cut paste on the wound, and wrapped rafia around the top of the trunk and planted in a trainer

Comments

[hiddeneye]

I have not seen J. maples used for broom styles at my club or any of the books I have.

Seems to me, though, the natural look/feel is similar in spirit, esp if you have a specimen with a straight trunk and fairly upright branching.

Another option would have been to cut the V notch just above a cluster of growth bands or buds.

[daern]

Yes, all the books refer to zelkovas for hokidachi. Harry Tomlinson's pocket encyclopedia suggest acer palmatum is suitable for alls tyles except literati. I have thought about having to cut further down the trunk to this new branch, however that will really mess up the proportions of the existing trunk and nebari, making it look like a stump with branches. And it wouldn't really solve the problem if its only a single branch trained to a leader (won't be a broom).Hmm.

[hiddeneye]

well, i would let it grow for a couple of seasons before doing anything else with it. it may surprise you next year, after it has recovered from this year's work.

good luck and post some photos if you get a chance!

[daern]

Thanks hiddeneye. Are you a member of BonsaiTalk? (Not LJ, separate forum). I've just posted a pic over there. Handle is spookybonsai.