The drawing on the left shows a young deciduous tree before pruning. Notice that the tree’s energy (growth) moves primarily upward, forming a more or less inverted triangle (tip down). In order to control this growth and move the energy down, prune to form the tree into a triangle (more or less) with tip pointing up.
The drawing on the right shows the same little tree a year or two later. Now your goal is to control growth and keep the tree’s basic shape by continuing to prune back vigorous upward growth (thus forcing energy down into the trunk and primary branches) and to eliminate unsightly and unhealthy growth (branches that grow in toward the center of the tree, branches that cross the trunk, branches that grow straight up rather than out, and so forth).
This image is from Bonsai Today issue 44. Green Workshop tips are posted primarily for beginners. For some earlier on pruning deciduous tress go here and here.
I do not have experience with Autumn potting but I would be very careful if it was a first potting as we have wet winters and rot could occur on large cut roots. If it was an established Bonsai and the roots needed a light trim then I feel Autumn potting could be beneficial
Thank Len,
Two years ago I did some early September wild larch digging from a somewhat wet area on a friends land. These were not old trees, maybe 5 to 10 years old, but still, the results were excellent; 12 trees dug and moved into my yard and 12 trees still alive and well. Since then, I’ve dug more in September; including this year.
When you dig larch serious root disturbance is inevitable as they tend to send out several very long and strong roots, all of which need to be cut way back. To ease the root stress, I did some top pruning to help balance the effect.
This fall I am in the process of digging and potting in growing pots, close to 100 larch from my yard that I collected 6 or 7 years ago. Our falls are usually our driest time. Our winters are frigid, so they’ll go into my 30 something degree garage during the very coldest months.
I’m confident that the results will be positive. I’ll keep you posted.