Choosing branches
- Contrainer
- Offline Topic Author
- Senior Member
- Posts: 74
- Thanks received: 15
A couple of days ago I obtained some needletrees from a garden centre and when I wanted to shape one of 'em (the picea glauca conica) I found it very hard to choose the remaining branches.
Now the big question: do you guys have a special technique or something to choose what branches to keep? Now don't say eenie meenie miney moe .
I could, obviously, provide photographs if that helps you to answer the question.
Many thanks in forward!
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- leatherback
- Offline
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 8637
- Thanks received: 3659
Sounds like a joke, bu I am serious. I start by taking our all the branches that are unneeded: Two branches on one spot: One can go. Branches that are too thick: Gone. Etc.
After doing that you end up with less than half the original branches.
Naturally, it does require some knowledge. Experience helps a lot. I have been working with people that have done this for 15 years, and in 5 minutes they have removed 50% of the canopy.
It does depend on the species how much you can remove. I do not know picea to give you advice on that.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- ironhorse
- Offline
- Elite Member
- Posts: 218
- Thanks received: 72
Dave
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Contrainer
- Offline Topic Author
- Senior Member
- Posts: 74
- Thanks received: 15
Dave, do you know when the last time this pruning period is that the picea can be pruned without weeping enthusiastically for a long time?
Already got a little bit of resin coming out of the wounds..
Thanks again!
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Auk
- Offline
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 6097
- Thanks received: 1791
Contrainer wrote: Thanks guys! Started pruning yesterday
About your first question:
Did you decide in what style you are going to shape it? I think you need to figure that out before you start pruning.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Contrainer
- Offline Topic Author
- Senior Member
- Posts: 74
- Thanks received: 15
Auk wrote:
About your first question:
Did you decide in what style you are going to shape it? I think you need to figure that out before you start pruning.
I was thinking about Walter Pall his Picea Abies, although it is a different subspecies.
I do not want to copy it exactly, as that is less fun, but it is a guide for me on the path of this bonsai.
Mine also has a splitted trunk, a splitted sidebranch and another sidebranch. Oh, and the trunk is less wide.
I'll upload photographs tomorrowevening as it is dark now and I will be absent from home tomorrow almost all day.
I really like your input, all, thanks!
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Auk
- Offline
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 6097
- Thanks received: 1791
Contrainer wrote:
Auk wrote:
About your first question:
Did you decide in what style you are going to shape it? I think you need to figure that out before you start pruning.
I was thinking about Walter Pall his Picea Abies, although it is a different subspecies.
I do not want to copy it exactly
Walter Pall's tree may seem easy to copy to you, but I assure you it's not that easy. I'm quite sure you won't be able to copy it.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Contrainer
- Offline Topic Author
- Senior Member
- Posts: 74
- Thanks received: 15
Auk wrote: Walter Pall's tree may seem easy to copy to you, but I assure you it's not that easy. I'm quite sure you won't be able to copy it.
Haha no, I know. That guy is a friggin genius. I think the tree is a nice guideline to mine though.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- leatherback
- Offline
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 8637
- Thanks received: 3659
Not just that.. But the plant you bought is probably less than 5 year old. Whereas his picea is at least ten times that eage, I would say. Knowing Walter, the tree you show there probably has a trunk as thick as a men's wrist..Contrainer wrote: Haha no, I know. That guy is a friggin genius. I think the tree is a nice guideline to mine though.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- ironhorse
- Offline
- Elite Member
- Posts: 218
- Thanks received: 72
Dave
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.