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Spring cutback

June 20, 2014 by Jonas Dupuich

When deciduous varieties get shaggy in Spring, it’s often a good indicator that it’s time for cutback. To keep these trees strong, I generally cutback to 3 or 4 buds and only remove growth in strong areas. A small number of cuts can make a big difference in appearance.

Plum

Plum – early May

Plum after cutback

Plum – after cutback

For more vigorous varieties like Korean hornbeam, I but back to 2-3 buds and partially defoliate by removing most of leaves but leaving weak and interior foliage alone.

Hornbeam

Korean hornbeam – May

As the interior leaves are shaded by the exterior leaves, I tend to move partially defoliated trees under shade cloth to give the tender foliage a chance to adjust to the light. I also watch the watering after defoliating as reducing the number of leaves on a tree often reduces its water needs.

Depending on the weather, new buds can appear within days. Here’s the same tree about one month after cutback and partial defoliation.

Hornbeam - after cutback

Korean hornbeam – one month later

I typically leave these trees alone in Summer, and then add fertilizer in Fall to give them the food they’ll need to push new buds next year.

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Filed Under: Bonsai Development Tagged With: Hornbeam, Plum

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mac says

    June 20, 2014 at 7:09 am

    Thank you Jonas. I acquired a Korean Hornbeam last fall and have been trying to find any info specific to the tree. I thought I might get away with defoliation but hadn’t found anything saying it not object to that treatment. I have a good basic limb structure but need more ramification of fine limbs. Soooo……partial defoliation it is. It may be a week or two later than optimal to do it now but it is pushing some new buds here and there and I think it will respond well.

    When is the book coming out?

  2. Jonas Dupuich says

    June 20, 2014 at 7:16 am

    HI Mac – thanks for the note! If you haven’t seen it, you can see the results I had with complete defoliation here:
    http://bonsaitonight.com/2012/07/17/defoliating-a-korean-hornbeam/
    http://bonsaitonight.com/2012/07/20/defoliating-a-korean-hornbeam-part-2/

    And for trees that aren’t as strong:
    http://bonsaitonight.com/2013/07/12/korean-hornbeam-summer-cutback-and-leaf-pruning/

    Good question about the book – nothing right around the corner at this point.

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