Japanese Maple: Kiyo-Hime Acer palmatum 'Kiyo-hime' by John Biel See a large image of this tree Background When I got involved in bonsai, in the late 70's, the nearest best bonsai source to Toronto was Bill Valavanis' International Bonsai Arboretum in Rochester, New York. Not only was it an easy day trip, but it was also a great place to get plant material specially grown having bonsai in mind. In addition, Bill carried top-notch pots, tools and other bonsai supplies that were not available in Toronto. But most important was that Bill was then much more into propagating than he is today. For example, many of his rare starter Japanese maple cultivars, were grown from cuttings, as were shimpaku, elms and many other species of trees. The subject of this article, the Japanese maple Kiyo-hime (Acer palmatum 'Kiyo-hime'), was bought from Bill in the spring of 1982. Bill had started it from a cutting struck in 1976. So the tree will be 26 years old this spring. It has always been grown in a bonsai container. Acer palmatum 'Kiyo-hime,' when it was purchased in the spring of 1982. It measured 10.5" high, 16" wide, and had a 1" trunk. Note the tag date: 1976, the date the cutting was struck. Bonsai Characteristics The Kiyo-hime cultivars are very desirable for bonsai. Mine has small leaves, only up to 4 cm in length, with petioles of 1 to 2 centimeters. New leaves are most attractive, emerging in reddish shades, which in summer turn to a rich green. Fall colour is in the yellow-orange hues. Kiyo-hime responds very well to pruning. A twiggy structure, along with a tapering trunk and excellent surface roots, can easily be developed within ten years. In Toronto (Zone 5), this cultivar is not outdoor winter hardy. (In other words, it is not a good idea to dig it into the ground along with your larches and cedars!) It is usually wintered in a deep cold frame, cold room or some other location, were minimum temperatures do not go below -8 degrees Centigrade. One year later, April 1983. The tree has developed quite well after two seasons of careful pruning. Its profile is becoming defined. In the summer, leaf edges will brown and dry up if the bonsai is grown in full sun all day. Growing it in high, dappled shade, preferably protected against strong drying winds, is ideal. It is important to remember that Japanese maples are understory trees. A disappointing characteristic of this cultivar is, in my view, that, after a certain age, say between twenty and thirty years, sometimes earlier, the crown of the tree rapidly weakens. The side branches, however, grow vigorously. Since a strong leader is not in its makeup, the bonsai will take on a low, flat look if left to its own designs. To arrest this trend, aggressive branch pruning must be carried out. At the same time, you must persist in trying to create new leaders by wiring up small branches. If these measures fail, then there is no option but to perform radical pruning on branches. This procedure will certainly take the bonsai out of circulation for a few years until a semblance of branch taper and 'twigginess' has once again been developed. I find working with Japanese maples very satisfying and a lot of fun to boot. This essay is intended to encourage bonsai folks to experience what I did in working with these rewarding trees. ------------------------------------------------------- See the "Picture Gallery" section for more illustrations of these trees.