Bonsai Maple tree :)
 

This is my Bonsai Maple tree
I started growing it about 6 years ago...that is about as tall as it will get
I had planned on growing some around the picanic table & patio as shade umbrellas
But since building the screenhouse support I will not need them

Re: Bonsai Maple tree :)
 

Where is it? That small maple tree?

Re: Bonsai Maple tree :)
 

Its down by the side of my garden
To the right is one of my compost piles
I thought I had a bigger pic of the area....but I don't have anything on that side of the garden really
So all my pics are of the other side

Re: Bonsai Maple tree :)
 

If you want to truly bonsai it, I'd chop it at around 6-8" of trunk and let it regrow stems from there. Then use those to sculpt out to make it look like a mature tree. Not sure how well red maples bonsai (that is a red maple, right?), but Japanese maples make excellent specimens!

Re: Bonsai Maple tree :)
 

No, that is a reg Maple, not a Japanese
I do have 2 red Japanese maples growing - maybe 4' tall
I also have 2 seedling growing - just inches tall

The Japanese Maple I want is the "waterfall" I think
Bright orange color in the fall
I need to wait until the new driveway goes in
Then I can think about some new trees

The maple is not that small
But left to its own growing rate it would be maybe 30' tall by now
---thus the reason I call it a bonsai
These can grown 3-5' a year, especially in the location by the stream
So every year I have been cutting off the height & trying to force it to grow out

Now with the new patio area & screenhouse I put up on a permanent framework we won't need the bonsai maples for shade
Next year I plan on building a pergola over the picanic table & my wisteria will grow over that for shade

Note the poles by the picanic table
That is the last place the screenhouse was installed
But the alum poles do not hold up very well & are not meant for long term use
The new PT frame will be up all year, screenhouse will be removed around Labor Day - so just over 2 months every year

Re: Bonsai Maple tree :)
 

Yeah, like I said, it looks like a red maple (Acer rubrum...Japanese maples are Acer palmatum). I only mentioned Japanese maples because they are frequently bonsai-ed due to their small leaves and compact growth habits. My suggestion with your red maple, if you want to keep going with the bonsai effect, would be to train it more laterally and keep the top chopped down (which you're probably already doing). Also, if you thin out the foliage a bit in the middle to expose some of the branch structure, it might aid in the overall effect.

Here's an excellent bonsai maple (this one is a japanese maple)

Re: Bonsai Maple tree :)
 

So you want a sugar maple Dave? :^)

Re: Bonsai Maple tree :)
 

Ah, the pic didn't show up before
My cousin taps maple trees & makes maple syrup
Hornstra Farms - he delivers milk & assorted dairy products
Rebuilt the Family barn & has a number fo trucks that deliver in our area

I just like decorative trees & plants around...that will grow in my area