I’ve been working on a large coast redwood for the past few years in fits and starts. After an initial pruning and repotting (see “Coast redwood” for details) I’ve worked on the tree in earnest several times only to let it grow out again.
After a few cycles of this, I removed almost all of the branches so I could restart the process from scratch.
August, 2020
After major cutback – October, 2020
The tree has continued to grow vigorously over the past year but again I quickly let it get out of shape.
August, 2021
My goals for developing the tree are to establish new primary branches and improve branch density – a process achieved quickly with frequent pruning and pinching. By keeping the branches I want to ramify short and letting the branches I want to thicken grow freely, I can pursue both goals at once.
After cutback – August, 2021
Because the tree has grown so much in the past two years, it was in need of a repot. I’d only repotted the tree once before so I wanted to reduce the base of the trunk (which had been resting on the bottom of the pot) and remove as much of the old soil as possible.
Here’s what the root ball looked like after removing 1-2 inches of wood from the base of the trunk.
Root ball after cutback – side view
And here’s what the base of the tree looked like after carving it with a reciprocating saw and a power chisel.
After reducing the base of the trunk
I’d hoped to plant the tree in a shallower container but I didn’t have any pots that were right for the tree so I returned it to the unglazed oval it had been growing in.
After cutback and repotting, 44″ tall – December, 2021
I don’t expect the tree to grow much until the weather warms up, but when it does start growing, I’ll attempt to work on it whenever it needs a trim.
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James Scott Chadd says
when our Redwood bonsai hit the “sweet spot” they are truly beautiful. however, they are one of the fastest bonsai to pass through that moment and emerge on the other side as unruly, overgrown and out of shape. we often sigh and begin the process again.
Chuck Phillips says
I have a 2 foot Cypress that I am making into a bonsai. When is the best time to trim it back late winter or early spring?Thank you so much.
Jonas Dupuich says
Most cypress can be worked on through winter. If you wire the tree, it’s good to protect it from freezing temps.
Yaroslav says
Wow, fairy tree 🙂 Do you prune the sacrificial branches if you feel that other branches in the tree are weakening and stop growing?
Jonas Dupuich says
Thanks, Yaroslav! Yes, I try to keep the tree relatively balanced to avoid losing branches I want too keep. Usually letting sacrifice branches run helps the smaller branches maintain vigor. If everything is pinched regularly that can be really stressful for redwoods.
Austin says
Awesome to see the progression on this tree. In your post you mentioned that you are letting the branches you want to thicken grow freely while also pursuing ramification on other branches by pinching/pruning. Are the branches you are ramifying only the secondary branches? Something I’ve been puzzled over is how to deal with the elongation of internodes when growing out primary branches to let them thicken. What are your thoughts on pinching a primary branch from early on to get short internodes, and then growing out the tip to thicken? Or should they be treated like maples, growing out branches and then cutting back to the first internode/spot with shorter internodes?
Jonas Dupuich says
Thanks, Austin! Good question – the brief answer is that it’s like maples where you get the desired thickness first and then cut back. This is a common approach as redwood branches usually bud well after cutback.