When most of the leaves on deciduous trees have turned color or fallen away, it’s time for fall cutback.
Trident maple ready for cutback
I start by removing the leaves so I can see the branch structure clearly.
After removing the leaves
As you can see, the branch density is good but the branch structure is poor. To improve the branches, I pruned to:
- Shorten shoots that were longer than 1/4″
- Remove downward growing branches
- Thin crowded areas
- Improve the silhouette
After cutback – 12″
Right side
Back
Left side
Although the result is less dense, it’s easier to follow the line of the individual branches from trunk to branch tip. By repeating the process over the coming years, I hope to increase branch density while refining the directions in which the branches grow.
Soil Update
I recently received a small shipment of akadama. More is on the way, but I don’t know when it will arrive due to current shipping conditions. While supplies last, you can order akadama on the Bonsai Tonight Online Store.
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Tom Tynan says
Jonas…Interesting to see this tree develop. One thing we don’t see often is how does the stone bear on the root mass? or does it sit on some small blocks of wood that support the stone ? What would happen if you had a larger stone that had some real weight; any concerns what the stone might do to the root mass below (ie. weight) or to the actual pot itself. In my example; lets say a stone maybe twice the length of your stone……regards again from NY…..Tom
Jonas Dupuich says
In general, you treat the stone as if it’s part of the trunk. Once the roots have fused onto the rock, the process is the same as it would be for a massive trunk. If the roots are strong and the tree is balanced, there’s no need for additional support beneath the stone. If the composition is tipy, some engineering, possibly a block below the stone and strong wires can be used to keep the tree in the pot.
Dawn says
Jonas,
Where do the lowest branches (that are from behind the rock on either side) come from ?
Jonas Dupuich says
Hi Dawn – I just posted pics of the other sides.
Michael Roberts says
I think this is a very nice tree Jonas. Thanks for sharing.
I actually have the same question as Dawn… could you show us photos of both sides and the back. That would help. Thanks
Jonas Dupuich says
Thanks, Michael! I just uploaded photos of the other sides which give a better idea of where the branching comes from.
Alan Yirrell says
This resembles my dilemia on my bonsai so this article was very timely
Jake says
Hi Jonas, How many years did it take you to develop this tree or is it something that was well along in its development before you acquired it?
Jake
Jonas Dupuich says
Hi Jake! I acquired this tree twenty years ago and it was already growing on the rock. I’d guess the tree is 35-45 years old.
Tom says
Nice tree. Gotta say though, for me I think the “left” side would be a much more interesting front, though it would take a few years of branch reworking for sure.
Jonas Dupuich says
Thanks, Tom! The main challenge we had with using the left side is that the stone is only 1-2″ wide from this side so we wouldn’t see much of the trunk.
Adam says
Hi Jonas, great tree! Is fall cutback appropriate for deciduous trees in development, or is it for refined deciduous only? Similarly would you perform this every year?
Jonas Dupuich says
Thanks, Adam! I typically do fall cutback on all deciduous trees. I prune all refined trees lightly in fall except for when they’re weak or they don’t need it. I prune all trees in earlier stages of development unless I pruned in late summer and they haven’t grown much or if I’m letting them run for a few years.