After a number of years working with cork oak bonsai, it’s become really clear that for the lower branches to thicken, the top needs regular trimming. This photo from earlier this week makes it clear where the tree wants to produce new growth.
Cork oak with new growth on the upper branches
Fortunately, if the lower branches are left to run and the upper branches are prevented from gaining too much vigor, the lower branches can develop quickly. Here’s what this work looks like.
After pruning and wiring – 28″
Most of the lower branches will be shortened by about half once they reach the desired thickness in another year or two. From there, I’ll be able to develop the secondary branches all over the tree. In the meantime, I’ll periodically trim the upper branches while letting the lower branches grow freely.
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Michael Roberts says
Lov’n this!
Lucas says
Won’t leaving the lower branches yo run freely, cause very long internodes and sparce foliage on those branches?
Jonas Dupuich says
Hi Lucas – the idea is that I’ll be removing most of what grows freely and only keeping 4-8 inches near the trunk. After making a big cut, it’s common for cork oaks to produce lots of new shoots. The new shoots can be used to create the shape, movement, and internode length that makes the most sense for a given branch.