bonsaiTALK Community - View Single Post - To prune or not to prune, that is the question

Hello Renat,

The branches will grow in proportion to the foliage load on them. So a twig will help its respective branch to grow, and so the trunk will increase in size.

The apex of most trees is also prone to growing the most, and therefore can become thick in size. By fooling the tree into believing a low branch (sacrifice branch) is its apex, the tree will divert more growth to that branch. It will help to thicken the points below where it attaches to the trunk, and will help to divert growth away from the branches that attach above it.

Elms can be pretty shrubby, that is they will throw any variety of branches all over the trunk. And the love to bud from places where other branches are already forming. This can lead to the development of knots or bulges in the trunk. I think you can see one formed about midway up the trunk of your tree before it was pruned back to one side branch there were probably several at that point.

There is also a knot beginning to form up at the top where the dozen or so branches come from the same place.

One could prune it back to just two largest branches at that point, or consider doing that AND putting it into a large growing box or in the ground to develop that trunk somewhat.

Others might have different ideas?

Regards,

Matt

14-May-2002	#2
TreeBay Tips:5¢ Advice:Free *MODERATOR GROUP* Join Date: Aug-2001 Location: Silicon Valley Country: USA USDA Zone: 9 AHS Heat Zone: 4 Posts: 9,745	Re: To prune or not to prune, that is the question Hello Renat, The branches will grow in proportion to the foliage load on them. So a twig will help its respective branch to grow, and so the trunk will increase in size. The apex of most trees is also prone to growing the most, and therefore can become thick in size. By fooling the tree into believing a low branch (sacrifice branch) is its apex, the tree will divert more growth to that branch. It will help to thicken the points below where it attaches to the trunk, and will help to divert growth away from the branches that attach above it. Elms can be pretty shrubby, that is they will throw any variety of branches all over the trunk. And the love to bud from places where other branches are already forming. This can lead to the development of knots or bulges in the trunk. I think you can see one formed about midway up the trunk of your tree before it was pruned back to one side branch there were probably several at that point. There is also a knot beginning to form up at the top where the dozen or so branches come from the same place. One could prune it back to just two largest branches at that point, or consider doing that AND putting it into a large growing box or in the ground to develop that trunk somewhat. Others might have different ideas? Regards, Matt __________________ Want to be a seller on bonsaiAUCTIONS? Get authorized today! bonsaiTALK: Over 100,005.36 Megabytes Served this Month!