When most of the leaves on deciduous trees have turned color or fallen away, it’s time for fall cutback.
Trident maple ready for cutback
I start by removing the leaves so I can see the branch structure clearly.
After removing the leaves
As you can see, the branch density is good but the branch structure is poor. To improve the branches, I pruned to:
- Shorten shoots that were longer than 1/4″
- Remove downward growing branches
- Thin crowded areas
- Improve the silhouette
After cutback – 12″
Right side
Back
Left side
Although the result is less dense, it’s easier to follow the line of the individual branches from trunk to branch tip. By repeating the process over the coming years, I hope to increase branch density while refining the directions in which the branches grow.
Soil Update
I recently received a small shipment of akadama. More is on the way, but I don’t know when it will arrive due to current shipping conditions. While supplies last, you can order akadama on the Indian Bonsai Art Online Store.
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