Chopping a Deciduous Tree

rzeles

All,

Looking for some insight re: Chopping a Deciduous Tree.

I already have a bunch of pines, junipers, etc., trying to start some new Pre-Bonsai's in the Deciduous variety.

I plan on Air Layering a large Maple I have in the Spring (as I understand this is the best time).

Question is, all the Deciduous trees I see at the nursery are 16-20 ft tall.

Can I take one of these and essentially chop it down to about 1 ft. and expect new growth from bellow that cut, or does there need to be existing branches below that chop to ensure growth?

I assume Spring, before the new buds swell, is the best time to conduct this drastic pruning.

Thanks.
Ron

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JAnderson

Ron,

What you're suggetsing is possible and I had a lot of success with an oak that I took down from a similar size. You can cut below all branches and the tree should shoot again, particularly if it is a stronger variety of acer. Mid you, be careful that it isn't grafted as it might then revert.

Whether you will get away with air layering at the same time I can't say as the shock to the tree may be too great. Perhaps you would be wiser to develop some vigorous growth and then go fo the layer.

Of course someone else may have had other experiences.

Jimbo

Joanie

I think the air layering mentioned was for a tree he already owns, and the chopping was for nursery stock so that it could be brought home... right?

Beware of nursery maples that may be grafted... chopping them below the graft will only give you the root stock's growth. It would probably be better not to chop below all branches or obvious buds, just to get it home. At home you can study it and see where it is willing to back bud, and then further chops can be made. Also, read up on trunk chops....

http://forum.bonsaitalk.com/showthread.php?t=13900

Some excellent links in here discussing chops. You want to chop somewhat above where you want the new growth. Or, as my grandpa used to say, "I cut it three times and it's still too short!"

I think I heard once that oaks don't bud back well in some cases, but I don't have time right now to look for that little tidbit of info. Caution is never a bad thing, at least until you have time to study the habits of the tree. I have a little Brazilian pepper, and wanted to know how well it buds back... so I cut off one unnecessary branch. It budded back all right... all down the stump, down the trunk, and sent up suckers as well! Yes, the answer is... it buds back just fine!

And of course season is important... don't ask for new growth when the tree should be turning its attention to going to sleep.

Joanie

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bonsaikc

Here is an example of a trident maple I chopped this spring.

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soonami

Those were great pictures bonsaikc, I hope you update in the spring

rzeles

All,

Just went to Lowe's today to look for some pre-bonsai material. Since I am interested in the deciduous, I went looking. Turns out Lowe's is having a 50% off sale on all trees and shrubs. Bought a Acer rubrum "October Glory" Maple for $10. The tree was about 12' tall about a 3 or 4" trunk. I will try the chop in the spring. For $10, you can't go wrong.

Ron

Ralph

Ron,

Stop looking for prebonsai material at Lowes, you will only find nursery material there. There are a number of very good bonsai nurseries in your area, you can get prebonsai material there, that will take years off the development time for show quality bonsai.

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Emerging from winter slumber
Bonsai trees burst buds anew
Spring is upon us!


-Paul S.

rzeles

Ralph,

Care to tell me where all the Bonsai nursuries are in Central NJ??

johnbonsai

Hi there, with nursery trees you often find that the canopies have been lifted continuously to promote height. This means that any growth lower down the trunks has been continually removed. You might find that if you chop a commercial tree there will be no new buds due to their habitual removal. You could ask about this at the nursery or look for a specimen with low growth. Last year I bought a Ginkgo and it had only one very weak, short, low branch, but it had dormant buds that looked lively. I chopped it from 12 feet down to 2 ft. and it sprouted really well. An air layering might produce some bottom growth on one of these trees'.Good luck.

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