Mid-May is when I usually begin working on my deciduous bonsai. If a tree has grown well, I’ll reduce the new shoots to 2-4 leaves and wire any branches that need adjusting.
An ume in my garden has been growing vigorously this year. It’s time for cutback.
Ume
It was hard for me to see how the branches were arranged in the tree’s interior so I reduced the longest shoots before taking a closer look.
After reducing the longest shoots
From here I could start wiring. I used aluminum wire and further reduced the branches as I worked, starting with the lowest cascading branches. Near the top, I bent everything down as I want new branches in this area to round out the apex just above the current level of foliage.
After thinning and wiring
From the left side
I’ll plan on more cutback in fall depending on how much the tree grows between now and then.
When the wiring was complete, I took note of how the deadwood has aged since I did some carving last year. I have yet to apply lime-sulfur or similar treatments to the deadwood – the colors here are natural.
Deadwood detail
Deadwood detail
Deadwood detail
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Deborah says
Hi. As a real beginner, I am wondering if you continue to cut back all new growth to two leaves throughout the growing season or if you wait til fall to prune again. I really enjoy your post. Thanks so much.
Jonas Dupuich says
Hi Deborah – good question! I generally only prune two times a year (spring and fall) as I’m still developing the basic structure of the tree.
Charlie Mosse says
Jonas, Do you have a picture of this beautiful tree when you first acquired it?
Jonas Dupuich says
Hi Charlie – here’s the oldest photo I have (click here). Am planning to share the story in a future post.
Charlie Mosse says
That post will be very interesting as to how you were inspired to create the tree from what you just showed us. Incredible transformation….beautiful!!
laurent_d says
Can you please axplain if you keep 2, 3 leaves or more ?
Do you keep leaves or defoliate ?
how the Ume will react (growing only on the last leaf, starting from every bud on the kept leaves…?)
Jonas Dupuich says
Hi Laurent! I don’t defoliate ume so I’m not sure how they’d respond to that. In general, after cutback, new buds emerge at the base of the leaves, sometimes at the base of the last leaf, sometimes the first, and sometimes all of the buds. They seem to be less consistent than other varieties like maples.
As for keeping 2-4 leaves, here are some things I think about:
– Are the internodes long or short? (If they are short, I can keep more.)
– Do I want the branch to grow longer or stay compact? (I keep more if I want the branch to grow longer)
– In general I try to keep more leaves as there may be some die back. (Some cultivars/specimen don’t bud back well at all)
Ray Mack - Baltimore Bonsai Club says
Jonas,
IMO – I think the color of the deadwood is perfect as-is. Thanks for your educational and entertaining blog and forum.
Jonas Dupuich says
Thanks, Ray!
laurent_d says
Thank you for your advices.