Hi

Normally post in the 'help' section but I am planning next stage for this Acer Campestre and thought I'd put in progressions to update in spring.

I have just let it develop in a pot, which has allowed trunk to thicken, but learnt some lessons as a 'newbie' - some time on nebari and branch direction as it grew would have saved time later... Plan for spring is a shallower wider pot to develop roots and a little flare at the base.



A bit stuck on the crown - while earlier cuts have all but disappeared, this one wont as crown will never be allowed to grow out much. I tried to chop at an angle to help taper, but now have a flat slab, and developed an unsightly bulge as it has grown. Should I try to carve a 'V' and split tip? Or just remove all developed branches and leave a single leader from new growth...? Any thoughts welcome!

For the top: I'd cut it so you would have a new leader left and also a side branch. Also re-open the big old wound so it can start to heal again and callus over.

Hm.. i think the tree is really tall for the thickness of the trunk. I would probably chop lower. I understand you might not wat to do too many chops and would prefer to get a tree now... The highest wired branch on the right.. at that height is a small branch straight up. I think I would cut back to there. That would put the cut in the back. And you can grow out a new leader, without large subsequent cuts.

Agree with Leatherback. (When in doubt go with the champion, right?)

An option here would be air layer about the second set of branches. That gives you the lower portion short and thick and a free tree from the top. Just an option.

Thanks Leatherback, didnt want to admit it to myself but that thought had crossed my mind - impatience to see a tree in a garden full of projects... I feel you may have a point...

Ivan - hadnt even considered air layer... not a huge amount of interest in trunk, but would be good for learning...

In the end took leatherback's advice and more - decided I was trying to get to end point too quickly, and was going for too much of a 'pine' style for a field maple. Chopped lower than originally planned - will need a little carving at some future point.

Had got quite pot bound so simply took a saw to bottom third of root ball and only teased out top layer. In much wider (18") and shallower pot to allow nebari to develop over next year or two, and will let top do its thing...



Was worried I may have been too brutal but top view shows new growth emerging from all sides...