Ravenna

Hi,

just thought I'd show you the new little maple you got myself (Kashima ). Still obviously needs a fair bit of work but still - curious to hear what you guys think...

Attached Images

	Kashima.jpg (62.3 KB, 79 views)
	Kashima2.jpg (56.3 KB, 46 views)

Phil

Looking good Ravenna.
At the next potting perhaps trying to work on obtaining a nice nebari would do it a world of good!

~Phil

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anttal63

you said it some good hard pruning and thinning, a detailed wiring. hopefully get those lower branches to back bud closer to the trunk. otherwise you can make cuttings for possible future grafting or leave shoots to graft back.

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Ravenna

Hi,

thank you for your feedback. Yes, it still has some very straight lines that will need changing with time. Nebari is actually already very nice, Phil, just rather overgrown with moss. But obviously things can always still be improved... :-)

bonsaidad

I have to agree that it needs a good haircut, and all the clutter taken out to open the center up.
It will then be the makings of a nice tree in the correct pot, and next spring, when it produces foliage, keep it trimmed to produce better ramification.


Best regards BD Paul

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M.B.

Great potential! Had me itching to grab my concave cutters. I'd love to see it in leaf after you prune it so please give us an update next spring.
Mary B

Ravenna

Hi Mary,

glad you like it. I fear I am a bit of a Japanese Maple addict. I find those trees so beautiful esp. in spring and autumn. I can't wait to see this ones leaves in spring as I haven't really seen Kashimas in "real life" yet (well in leaf... obviously saw mine... )

@bonsaidad: yes it will need tidying up though I am not sure what you mean by opening up the centre? Ramifications already quite good in the periphery. Personally I am more bothered about some of those straight lines it has closer to the trunk. Still have to make up my mind how "invasive" I want to be about that.

Pup

Ravenna. I do not have any maples now, as where I live we get extremely hot drying winds in summer. In the past when I did have them I was always careful to allow the sun in to get back budding. I see a lot of potential in this tree. Good luck for the future with it Pup

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bonsaidad

Hi Ravinna.
I think myself that it may be just a little to cluttered in the center, i personally like to see some of the thickest branch structure just below the foliage line.

But we all have varying ideas of what is pleasing to the eye, otherwise what a dull world this would be.



Best regards Paul

__________________
Old Chinese proverb says.
Go to bed with itchy bum.
Wake up with stinky finger.

Ravenna

Hi Pup, hi Paul,

okay, I understand your point now. I understood at first that you wanted to create a gap in the centre rather than just reduing the overall density. With the latter I agree. If I clear it out it a bit it will help back budding and allow me to have more growth from the inside.

Ultimately though I think the most dense branching should be in the periphery - where it is now. It seems more natural to me than to say it should be below the foliage line (not 100% sure though what you mean by that). After all the branches in the periphery should also be smaller than those centrally so I would need more of them there...