Jay

I have a large Hornbeam, that I have done some major cut and removal work on. I have been allowing several branches (almost all) to grow freely so as to really get the juices flowing in this tree. I'm thinking this will heal some of the wounds quicker. I do not expect the wounds to have healed in one growing season, but, I will have to remove some of the free growing branches. Reason being, they are true sacrafice branches and will not be used in the design of this tree. If I leave them to long, then I will have to deal with large wounds from them.

My question concerns timeing. I am, as you may know, in Zone 5B/6A, Southern Orange County New York. It is still warm and the tree has not yet started turning color, but should in a few weeks.
Is it best to remove the branches.....a)now? b)after leaf drop? c)in spring at bud out? or d)after the tree leafs out again? I am looking for an answer and the reason...want to learn!

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A Bonsai student living with his trees at N 44.37 W 77.49...
Think before you act... then think again... no good comes from rushing

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