Iris,

I agree with Sandy that back budding is not the forte of this cultivar.
Mine has more branches than that, but it is not nearly as dense as most of
my other maples. That being said the things I think will help a
1) Solid fertilization to promote strong growth
2) Cutting back the tips once it gets going to try to push the energy back
into any latent buds.
3) Defoliation for the same reason as #2, but make sure it is really strong
4) A well ramified root system since that seems to promote good ramification
above. Mine accepts root washing and fairly strong reduction, but it
definitely is not as strong that year. However, the following year is a
good strong growth year. I get a fair number of long circling roots in two
years so I repot every other year if I can get to it.
5) I have seen reference to making a horizontal cut through the bark above a
dormant bud as a way to induce it to grow. I think the idea is to cut off
sap flow further up the tree so it is forced out the bud.

Marty

-----Original Message-----
From: Internet Bonsai Club ] On Behalf Of

Sent: Tuesday, May 10, 2005 7:10 PM
To:
Subject: [IBC] Arakawa

As Sandy Vrooman warned me, my 'Arakawa,' the cork bark maple, is very
reluctant to bud back on the trunk. I have one I pruned & potted up early
this year,
which is essentially a bare trunk, with one small branch near the top that
has a few full size leaves. There are about three or four buds comng on the
trunk where I need them. Any suggestions how to get more branches?
Iris

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