branch too long

Urbansai

the first branch on one of my maples is far to long, but it's in the neccessary possition on the tree. It's also a decent size (diameter) branch and i would like to avoid removing it completely because it would take a while to regrow another of comperable size, and i don't want yet another big scar. My question is, if i cut the branch back halfway or more, will it bud easily on the shortened branch? It has no buds except at the very end.

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New growth can develop from dormant buds located at the branch nodes. They may not even be visible. Take a look at the branch to see if you can identify where the branch nodes might be. In still-green maple branches, these are marked by the brownish-grey collars that you will recognize at each node. If the branch has barked over well, it may be hard to see, but abrupt changes in direction or thickness sometimes indicate nodal points, as would the scar of any previously removed branches.

Branching will not form between nodes, so be careful in cutting back. The branch will die back at least as far as the next node.

In the photo below you can see five rings on the vertical trunk that mark the growth nodes. At nodes 3 & 4 you can see where branches emerge off to the right and the remains of buds that once existed on the opposite side.

In the two thin branches you can also see several nodal sites. Take a look at the upper twig and you see about 1/2 inch out a node, and another at about 1.5 inches, where the branches actually formed. If cut between these points, for example, there is a good chance that new branching would form either at the remaining node or at the branch collar, where it joins the trunk.

(This photo isn't presented here as good bonsai branching, just a good example of typical maple growth and nodes!)


Pinching the growth on the terminus of the branch is a good way to encourage backbudding at all these sites, so rather than cut back immediately, it may be a good idea to do a lot of pruning on the branch terminals and see what develops.

Masakuni wound sealant is particularly good for sealing these types of wounds. If the wounds are larger than 1/4" or so, you might look at the callusmate cut paste. Both of these products can be found in the Pastes & Wax section of the TreeBay site.

Regards,

Matt

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