Can a tree grow taller once its trunk has been chopped?

WHITEPINE

Hi,

My heading says it all really. I recently bought a 16" maple bonsai. Originally I intended to grow it to a more substantial size. However, the trunk has already been chopped. So my question is, can a trunk grow any taller once it has been chopped? I'm guessing that I can't, but could members please confirm this for me. If it can't I'm still pleased with the tree, I'll just concerntrate on developing and refining the branches

Best wishes
Stephen

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bwaynef

Short answer: yes.

Long, boring, sarcastic answer:
A new leader will assume the reigns near the chop site. From there, the leader will continue to elongate, thereby growing the tree taller, until maturity ....or until it gets chopped at which point a new leader will assume the reigns near the chop site. From there, the leader will continue to elongate, thereby growing the tree taller, until maturity ....or until it gets chopped at which point anew leader will assume the reigns near the chop site. From there, the leader will continue to elongate, thereby growing the tree taller, until maturity ....or until it gets chopped at which point a new leader will assume the reigns near the chop site. From there, the leader will continue to elongate, thereby growing the tree taller, until maturity ....or until it gets chopped at which point a new leader will assume the reigns near the chop site.


Shall I continue?

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WHITEPINE

Hi,

Thanks for that. There are already two new leaders well established, the taller of these forms the apex. What about the base of the trunk? - Once it has been chopped can it grow thicker?

Regards
Stephen

Mcspeed

Stephen, yes, all the growth above the soil will make the trunk bigger, but it won't concentrate the growth there, thats why we hear about keeping those sacrifice branches, especially the low ones.

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malhomme

Stephen,

Now apply what was said here to the branches, not just the trunk of the tree. Pretty much the same principle, only horizontally.

Cheers,
Jim

WHITEPINE

So, does this mean that I will lose the tree's taper, if I try to substantially increase its size?

Best wishes
Stephen

Jay

Stephen,
Depends....

If the trunk at the chop point is thin then the new leader will approach it in size and the taper will come into question. A tree chopped at 1 inch or so will not show good taper down the road. Especially if you allow the new leader to grow forever so to speak.

But if you follow Bwaynef's advise and do numerous chops you will promote taper as you thicken the trunk. Now this said you do need to start with a reasonable size tree at the time of the original chop. As the tree grows it will slowly bring the chops and new leaders into lovely taper. You will need to allow the tree to grow freely in the ground or a large grow box to speed up this process. Speed being relative. Each chop and new leader will take a few years before you do the next chop. In other words bring out your big tool...patience, for this one.

my 2 cents
Jay

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wabashene

Hi Stephen,

Yes it does and at some point you will have to re-chop to a side branch or chop to start a new leader and induce taper artificially.

The chop sites will always stay at the height they were made at -they don't move up the tree as it grows taller.

Here's a sequence of an Acer Arakawa over 4 years, purchased as a pre-bonsai. I allowed it to grow while I was learning and then chopped it back in Jan 2006 - changing the planting angle at the same time. The chop point is marked with a red arrow on the 2004 pic.

The trunk has been thickening up all the time and I've marked branches 1 & 2 as well as the proposed new leader (L) along with a sacrifice leader/sap drawer (S) to keep the proposed new leader growing and healthy.

Its going to end a bit "acer as pinus" but "does my face look bothered!"

:-)

timR

Attached Images

arakawa 4 yrs seq.jpg (58.2 KB, 70 views)

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