It’s time to start thinking about dormant pruning. This page of simple illustrations shows pruning and pinching basics for beech trees. It’s the first of a series of posts on training deciduous bonsai. The illustrations are from Bonsai Today issue 41.
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4 thoughts on “Pruning Deciduous Bonsai: Beech”
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Hey Wayne,
It’s funny you are talking about Beech bonsai and pinching. I’ve been considering getting some seedlings to grow on in my grow beds and have heard that defoliating beech to attempt leaf reduction will kill them since they will not push new buds during the growing season. So my question is do you still trunk chop beech when buds are swelling or is there another method to creating taper with beech?
Hi Dana,
I don’t have any beech so can’t say much from first hand experience. But I think if you want to save a branch or trunk you need to leave some buds. I’ll do some research when I get back from vacation in a couple weeks.
You can trunk chop a beech leaving no buds and they will adventitously bud from old wood but if you prune a branch back beyond the last bud it’s a gonner! Why… I just don’t know, but it is so. Don’t take my word for it though try this link: http://www.bonsai4me.com/SpeciesGuide/Beechadvancedpruning.htm
Thanks Matt. bonsai4me is one of my favorites. I’ll keep it in mind if I ever get around to hacking a beech.