Basic Whys?? And How?? And What??

Eric Adrignola

Ok, I have a book, read it. Read up online. I'm growing some plants, and have other victims in mind...innocently growing to suitable size in the ground...
But...
I want to know a few answers.

#1. In branch/trunk thickening. In the various processes to accomplish this, is removal of foliage done to INCREASE trunk thickening by allocating nutrients and growth to the branch/trunk? OR does foliage removal not cause branch thickening?

#2. What is the prime REASON for foliage reduction? I have read many methods, but exactly why does it happen? ( I'm a Zoologist, I'm better at doing something if I know why it's doing it!)
Is it the reduced time the leaves are "alive"(because they are pruned often) causes the tree to complete them faster, so as to maximize the time the leaves are producing?

#3. Pruning new growth encourages the buds to become closer, correct?

...Thank you.
I have a hard time learning simply from books. I need explanations...Looks like I will NEED to have lessons from Steve in Fuquay.

Eric A

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TreeBay

Removing foliage will never in itself INcrease the trunk or branch thickness below that point. It may direct growth to other areas of the tree which will thicken as a result, but growth in thickness is a result of increased foliage load, among other factors.I am not certain what you are talking about here by "foliage reduction;" if you mean pruning or thinning, or the scale of the leaves, maybe. It sounds later that you are talking about defoliation, so I will guess you mean leaf size? Defoliation causes the tree to regenerate leaves from limited energy reserves, so the growth is weaker and consequently smaller than it might otherwise be, with shorter internodes. Being constrained to a container will also limit the size of the root system, which has a distinct effect on leaf size and branching. You might take a look at last Saturday's chat log on defoliation. You'll find it in the General folder.Pruning new growth will encourage budding back (backbudding) further into the plant. These points are typically weaker than apical nodes so they will branch more tightly. It would probably be more correct to say that pinching new growth (that is leaving some behind by plucking off the ends when it is still unhardened) will encourage the buds to become closer. If you prune them off, they will become closer--- to the ground

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