Chopping Trunk (newbie)

camikins

Hi,

A basic tree pruning question....

If I were to take - for example - a 2 meter tree with a three inch trunk and chop it to around 12 inches tall, would new branches sprout, even if the chop removed all current branches?

Thanks.

Cam.

Advertisement

Jay

Cam,
First welcome.

Your question is not as 'simple' as you think. The type of tree needs to be known. It is also important to know the location of the tree and the season you intend to do the deed.

To help you get good info, take a minute or two and go to the 'USER CP" and fill it out. It is on the bars at the top of this page. We need to know where you are... and remember there are many 'Albany's' in the US and other places so be a little specific.

I'm sure once you enter the info you will get an answer.

Jay

__________________
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

rockm

"If I were to take - for example - a 2 meter tree with a three inch trunk and chop it to around 12 inches tall, would new branches sprout, even if the chop removed all current branches?"

Depends on what kind of tree species you're working with. Some regenerate better than others. Some (conifers in particular) will die if they are left with no foliage. Decidous trees, as a rule of thumb, can regenerate limbs and leaves with no problems. Trees have always had this capability, as they lose limbs leaves and even their trunk ALL the time in the natural world from animals, snow load, high winds, etc.

Chopping really big trees into small ones is one of the primary ways in which bonsai are created. Small bonsai do not grow up to become big bonsai. Big bonsai are made from larger trees cut down to bonsai size.

bonsainotwar

I have been doing bonsai since 1999,and have finally gotten the nerve chopping.Some of us are kind of squeamish about doing it.