Save the date! The second Pacific Bonsai Expo will be held on October 26-27, 2024. We’ll have more updates in upcoming posts so stayed tuned for more info!
As for the fall pruning, below is a trident maple showing the last bit of fall color.
Trident maple with fall color
After removing the leaves it’s easy to see how much the tree grew this year. It had been weak for a few years so I repotted it last year and let it grow freely. As a result, there are good shoots but no signs of the vigor I’d expect from a fully healthy trident maple.
New shoots
It’s also easy to see that the upper branches are way too big for the tree. To stimulate the pruduction of new shoots on the upper half of the tree, I removed all of the large upper branches. And instead of making clean cuts, I left stubs as new shoots might sprout from the base of these large branches. I left the tallest shoot on the tree alone to increase the sap flow in the area.
After pruning
To wrap up the fall work, I removed the top layer of soil and replaced it with fresh soil. This will help prevent the root ball from retaining too much moisture through winter.
After replacing the top layer of soil
I’ll check on the tree again in March and April to see if any buds have sprouted. In the meantime, I’ll leave the tree in full sun and water it when the soil begins to dry out.
If you’d like to see a video of this work, check out “Fall cutback on a trident maple.“
News & Updates
- If you didn’t see the notice above, the dates have been set for next year’s Pacific Bonsai Expo. The event will be held on October 26-27, 2024. More updates are on the way so stay tuned!
- I’m looking for readers who can provide feedback on a project I’m working on. If you’re up for some bonsai reading, send me a note and we can go from there.
- I’m still looking for relatively show-ready medium-sized trees so don’t hesitate to get in touch if you know of any trees that are looking for a new home.
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Nehemiah says
I love Trident Maples!
Alessandro says
Ciao Jonas, I’d like to be a reader of your new project. I’m from Italy so I can also translate it for your Italians readers.
Andrew Leonhard says
Hello Jonas,
As a deciduous, why would you put the tree in full sunlight in the winter?
Thank you
-Drew
Jonas Dupuich says
Good question – I don’t know that I have a good answer! I want all of my trees to get as much light as possible over winter so they don’t stay too wet as root pathogens are a problem in my area. Also, since my winters are mild, the trees don’t go as dormant. It could be that putting them into more shade for winter could help them meet dormancy requirements, but I don’t know of research that shows that one approach works over the other when the temps are the same either way.
Stan says
Hi Jonas,
Nice, promising tree and well presented topic, as typical!
A question: After cutting the upper large branches, what/how do you do to “seamlessly” incorporate newly grown branches to the tree design? How do you deal with remaining stubs, particularly as you’ve sealed them after the cuts?
And, a suggestion: I, and I believe many others too, would benefit a lot if you sometime focus on how to develop new, proportional branches after a tree trunk is satisfactorily developed and original branches aren’t, after serving their purpose, suiting the planned tree design anymore. Obviously, there is a good amount of variability here caused by different tree species, their desired designs and final sizes, which is a recipe for a broad topic… However, any examples presented with sufficient details would help break the fog hanging around this stage of bonsai development.
Thanks a lot for sharing your knowledge and experience through your blog, including the systematic way you do so.
Jonas Dupuich says
Thanks, Stan – and good question about developing new branches. (As for the stubs, I’ll remove them once the new branches are in place to prevent sap from withdrawing in areas where I want new branches to grow.)
I’ve written a lot about branch development, and will plan to do more as I have good examples that show the steps.
Here’s one example showing an overview of the process with Korean hornbeam:
https://bonsaitonight.com/2016/08/12/korean-hornbeam-10-year-progression/
Here’s another example showing how to keep upper branches in check while letting lower branches grow:
https://bonsaitonight.com/2022/07/08/bonsai-development-series-27-focusing-growth-on-the-lowest-primary-branches/
https://bonsaitonight.com/2023/08/11/cork-oak-pruning-follow-up/
I hope this helps!
Brian McGrath says
I would love to be a reader of your project. Please send info. Very mild winter up here on Vancouver island. If your traveling up here visiting Anton or Frank, I would love a drop in and a consultation. I’m in the area.
Brian from Qualicum Beach
Dave Hattem says
Hi Jonas. I’d be happy to help out as a reader for your work. Cheers
Dave