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Promoting new branches on Acers
HI,
I have just purchased a new Orange Dream acer and it looks very healthy, its about 3-4ft tall. Although most people would leave it well alone I am a bit addicted lately and want to get the most out of the tree to make it look ultra attractive,
Ive read on some bonsai forums that if you trim branches down to lower leaf nodes then 2 lateral branches will sprout out (at a sacrifice to the one you chopped) creating more branches in general. Has anyone tried this technique to promote growth? I would like to make it look bushy and not so leggy. I have also seen that a lot of people state that pruning should only take place in dormant months but then I have read conflicting information also saying its fine to prune at any time.
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I grow bonsai, yes if you cut the tips of the branches then you should get two side branches where the leaves join the remaining branch, but you might only get one per pair of leaves, or none at all so be aware of that.
usually bonsai Acers are only allowed to grow one pair of leaves on this years growth before the tip is removed, but this may be too drastic for a 'normal' Acer
Thanks treehugger for your insight. I may nip the tips and see what happens.
I have a palmatum bonsai too although I am certainly no expert when it comes to maintaining it. Just the other day I defoliated it bar one branch to see if I can grow some mini leaves. Quite excited to see if the outcome is any good.