This Acer palmatum Japanese Maple is a true clump-style bonsai, created from five individual seedlings fused together from their very first year. Now 8–10 years old, the trunks have fully united at the base, forming a compact, Shohin-sized composition with natural movement and character that only time can create.

This variety is a small-leaf Japanese Maple, known for its fine branching and elegant seasonal color. The tree was transplanted into its current container this past spring and is growing in an inorganic bonsai soil mix for excellent drainage and root development. One pot also includes a soft layer of moss to help retain moisture.

About the Current Photos

The photos were taken Nov 27th 2025, and they reflect the tree’s natural winter appearance. As you can see, the leaves show signs of the shedding process, along with some frost burn and winter leaf burn, which is normal for Japanese Maples grown in the Central Valley of California, where temperatures have dropped below freezing.
These cosmetic changes are seasonal. The tree itself is healthy and dormant, and it will be ready to transition into spring growth and ramification work once temperatures rise.

Why This Tree Is Special
• True five-trunk fused clump, created in year one and impossible to replicate later
• Rare Shohin-sized clump with fully united base
• Small-leaf variety ideal for refined branching
• The fusion and early development work are complete—ready for primary, secondary, and tertiary branch development this coming season
• Clump-style Japanese Maples of this age are extremely rare

Tree Details
• Species: Acer palmatum (small-leaf Japanese Maple)
• Style: Shohin clump style – five fused trunks
• Age: ~8–10 years
• Soil: Inorganic bonsai mix (akadama, pumice, lava)
• Moss added for moisture retention
• Fully settled from spring repot
• Winter appearance shown accurately in today’s photos

This is a wonderful opportunity to add a rare, fused Shohin clump Japanese Maple to your collection—perfect for a grower who wants to continue its development into a refined, highly detailed bonsai.