Energy Balancing #8: Pinching for Ramification

Needle juniper pinching These drawings describe a ramification (branching) process for a Needle juniper. The techniques may be applied to other junipers and in some cases, to other types of trees. The drawings are from our Juniper book. In the top drawing there are only secondary branches. These are allowed to grow and strengthen (second from the top) and are then (third) pinched back and wired (while they are still quite flexible). The pinching back encourages new buds which become new shoots. Then these new shoots are allowed to grow and strengthen (forth) before they are pinched again and the … Continue reading Energy Balancing #8: Pinching for Ramification

Energy Balancing #6: Defoliation Tips

Cut… Use sharp scissors to defoliate. Cut in the center of the petiole (leaf stem). If you cut too close to the base of the leaf stem, you may damage the buds that form there. …don’t pull Don’t use you fingers to pinch or pull leaves off. This is a recipe for damage (the unreadable text with the illustration above says: Don’t pull, it could damage the buds).

Energy Balancing #5: Defoliation

This Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) has been partially defoliated. The first branch is too small relative to the rest of the tree, so the purpose of the defoliation is to speed up the development of the first branch while slowing down the development of the rest of the tree. This works because energy flow decreases in areas that have been defoliated. Conversely, because the energy from the roots has to go somewhere, energy flow increases where leaves are left on. The photos in this post are from Bonsai Today issue 103 (out of print). The article that the photos are … Continue reading Energy Balancing #5: Defoliation

Energy Balancing #4: Kimura’s Sacrifice Branches

The huge girth and dramatic taper on this powerful Satsuki azalea, were achieved primarily through the use of sacrifice branches. In fact, you’ll notice that some are still being employed to help thicken the primary branches. This photo is from The Magician: The Bonsai Art of Kimura 2, by Stone Lantern Publishing. Single sacrifice branches and unsightly scarring In energy balancing #3 we showed a juniper with a single sacrifice branch at the top. Single sacrifice branches are often used, especially to thicken trunks, and they can work quite well. However, one problem with using single branches is that, in … Continue reading Energy Balancing #4: Kimura’s Sacrifice Branches

Energy Balancing #3: Sacrifice Branches

Strengthening the apex The styling on this Juniper (we’d be guessing on species, so we won’t) is almost done (at least for now). The exception is the sacrifice branch on the top. The artist, Mr Toshinori Suzuki, has decided to leave it on to strengthen the tree’s apex.When he is satisfied with the apex, he’ll sacrifice the branch (no ceremonial drums, just sharp shears are required). Apical versus lateral dominance With apically dominant trees, energy tends to flow into the apex; however, most junipers (including this one) are laterally dominant (energy flows into lower lateral branches), so sometimes a little … Continue reading Energy Balancing #3: Sacrifice Branches

Energy Balancing #2 – Cascade Bonsai

It’s good to think in terms of zones when discussing energy balancing. Especially with cascade bonsai, which present unique challenges. The illustrations in this post are all from our Masters’ Series Pine book (Growing and Styling Japanese Black and White Pines). Think zones All trees have strong, medium and weak zones. Because most trees are apically dominant (most of the energy flows up to the apex), the top is usually the strongest zone. Exceptions are low growing and spreading shrubs and some small trees. Energy balancing is critical with cascades It can be difficult to maintain the all important lower … Continue reading Energy Balancing #2 – Cascade Bonsai

Energy Balancing

This powerful old cascading Japanese Black Pine (Pinus thunbergii) is a masterful example of how energy can be directed downward in a tree that naturally wants to grow upward. The photo is from Bonsai Today Master Series; Pines. Whenever you prune, trim or pinch, you are redirecting energy. If you remove a branch the energy (primarily water, gases and nutrients) that would have flown into that branch goes somewhere else. Some of it goes to forming a callous where the branch was, the rest goes elsewhere. Basically energy flows two ways in plants; up from the roots, and back down … Continue reading Energy Balancing