In our previous blog post we referred to some of the techniques utilised to create high quality deciduous tree’s. In the workshop this week we assess the progression of a couple of root grafts on a trident maple.

Let’s however go back a few steps first.

We need the ‘donor’ material to work with. Every year I generally take a few cuttings off the tree I’m working on and root them. In doing so I create new seedlings that can then be used to graft with and will be a direct clone of the parent tree. Having a direct clone is not super important though for a root graft, but preferable. I let the cuttings grow for a year or 2 and then they are ready for use.

Come late winter/ early spring of 2025 when repotting this tree I applied the root grafts to the base of a large root that had been previously severed a couple of years back (these are generally created as a result of the field growing process to thicken the trunk).

On a side note, I often see people become quite attached to the large surface roots when they are purchasing field grown material, when in reality the progression to produce a quality root base see’s a lot of these removed are at least, heavily cut back. Interesting fact, every major root on this trident was removed in favour of developing finer roots. ‘Why?’ I hear you say! I’ll delve quickly into this;

1) Think of the future container size, large extended roots means utilising an appropriately smaller container won’t be an option.

2) Taper, like above with our trunk and branching, we want the same for our root system. It all adds to sense of scale.

It goes without saying that it is far easier to apply the root grafts when repotting the tree, but not essential.

What care/ procedures took place during that 9 months? Well not much really. You want those seedlings to initially grow strong, only selecting side branching for removal to encourage length extension.

Moving into summer you should start to see the grafts showing good signs of adhesion, now unfortunately there isn’t a definitive answer/ time to do the next procedure, but it follows the understanding that yes those grafts are going to take. That is to then cut back the seedlings, not to the base like shown above but just shortened/ weakened to tell the tree ‘hey, please don’t worry too much about growing a new branch and forget about the roots below the graft, because in a few months I’m going to cut that branch off.’ What can start to happen if you don’t reduce is increased unwanted thickening at the graft sight and more of the energy flowing to the new grafted branch rather than the roots. Can both co-exist? I don’t have that answer…

As with everything we do in bonsai, we are trying to carry out the technique to the highest quality level, so these factors all play a role in the outcome.

Working with Bonsai and in particular Deciduous bonsai, planning ahead is paramount. It’s comparable to compound interest, doing the right tasks at the right time, your tree will only go from strength to strength.

Have a look out on social media in the coming weeks to see the tree in question.