Bonsai Art of Shaping - Branch Prunning

Pruning is the process of cutting away unnecessary growth on the bonsai. Branches, buds and leaves are pruned. This controls the progress of the bonsai’s development, allowing you to mold the developing tree as needed and later maintain its mature form. Branch pruning is especially essential to create and preserve the bonsai’s form.

With the basic goal in mind, focus can be placed on the specific aim of branch pruning. The most obvious result of pruning is to remove extraneous and unattractive budding limbs and more mature branches. Prunning removes the branches that do not contribute to the Bonsai shape. It also provide space and light to the inner, smaller branches and buds.

If you are thinking of stengthing your bonsai plant trunk, then prun the branches right above the trunk. This would also change the direction of the trunk.

Give special care to the flowering and fruit giving trees. Pruning the buds will also inhibit the flower or fruit growth. Consider your goals and your tree’s needs when deciding whether to remove those buds.

The Importance Of Lateral Buds

Lateral buds are the emerging branches growing off of existing branches. Because they will mature into new branches that can be molded into harmony with the bonsai’s design. When pruning, examine the lateral buds and predict their future growth. Maintain lateral buds on the pruned branches which you anticipate will add to the bonsai’s form. If the branch does not have any lateral buds and is not growing in harmony with the tree’s shape, prune it back to the trunk.

Choosing Which Branches To Remove

In general, prune the branches which do not contribute to the structure and beauty of the tree. This can include branches growing in the wrong direction and oversized or overly thickened branches.

Choosing The Right Time For Branch Pruning

Branch pruning is unnecessary for young trees. Early, the priority is root, nebari and trunk development. After that, branch growth needs to be encouraged so that the basic form of the tree can take shape. This growth can be assisted by wiring the trunk and branches. Branch pruning is the beginning of the “fine tuning” process of creating your bonsai.

Branch pruning is a stressful event to the plant, so it should be avoided during summer and winter.

The type of plant is also a consideration when choosing when to prune. Deciduous trees are ideally pruned in spring when leaves are not on the branches and new growth has not begun for the year. Coniferous trees should be pruned at the end of the plant’s dormant period for the year. This is usually sometime between autumn and early winter. It needs to be done before freezing begins.

Pruning should be done with a concave branch cutter or pruning shears. Whichever is used, it should be sharpened to provide the cleanest, least damaging cuts. The cut should not be allowed to remain open. It can be sealed with a drop of glue, paste or sealant. Once sealed, the cut should heal quickly and growth will no longer occur at the site.