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Just a question on defoliation: when defoliating the top of a tree, to bring balance back to the tree by, do I understand correctly you can use this technique for thickening the lower branches?
If so, can someone explain to me how this works? The way I see it, the tree will need energy to grow back the leaves at the top, thus taking the energy away from the lower branches. Or am I missing something here?
Thanks,

Peter

That is a great question! I am by far not an expert on this topic. I have no tree in this stage and I am really afraid of defoliation. Just scary to me.

But as I understand it every healthy leaf helps the branches and trunk beneath it to thicken. When defoliating the top it will stop thickening.

Obviously the top with no leafs will stop thickening. And the lower branches will continue as usual. Hence it is not a question about speeding up thickening of the lower branches but about slowing down the top and get the tree more into proportion.

I think sacrificial branch is a better option If possible. In my mind it will do the same job but faster and will not risk the health of the tree.

Ah, thanks for the reply and explanation. I just got a couple of acers and japanese holly’s in my garden en did a bit of defoliation to see what actually happens. And I noticed the leaves coming back within a week and figured that must cost some energy to the trees.
But the way you explain it makes sense: the top of the tree uses the energy for new leaves, not thickening the branches I guess.
Thanks!

For Acers is common to have a summer defoliation, just before the second flush of growth, that will help you to ramify, it will flush more even, and also will renew the leaves, so they look better when on fall colors.
Of course there are cases when you shouldn't do it, like when the tree is not healthy, or it just got repoted, or when the point is just thickening the material...

Acer palmatum should not be fully defoliated, partial only at the apex and larger leaves over the tree. Tridents can be fully defoliated on mature trees.

m5eaygeoff wrote:

Acer palmatum should not be fully defoliated, partial only at the apex and larger leaves over the tree. Tridents can be fully defoliated on mature trees.

Hey Geoff!

You mean for balance purpose right? Because full defoliation is very common on Palmatum, specially before shows or on a refinement stage.

Here's Walter Pall's lesson on the subject, he explains why defoliate, whether a full or a partial one.

No, Acer palmatum has one period of growth, therefor if all leaves are removed it may produce some more leaves but will weaken the tree. Tridents grow throughout the season so can be defoliated if in refinement. I don't care what Walter Pall does I do not defoliate especially this year after a severe summer heat last year and cold winter has weakened many trees, I have lost a lot and I know many people who have also. This year I have only removed larger leaves to allow light into the interior.

Defoliation does weekend the tree. Should only be done in preparaten for show. It is not a method for development.

m5eaygeoff wrote:

I don't care what Walter Pall does I do not defoliate...

Chill bro, I'm not telling you should change what you do with your trees, just pointing out that some people do that specifically certain purposes and it works fine for those purposes.

I just got suprised by "Should not", is a very strong statement, but well that's your opinion, and it's ok.

Btw, I was honestly asking to understand your answer and why I was finding different points on the subject, you ellaborated very well, thanks for that, and I'm sorry if you got it on a different way.