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Example of defoliation
Example of trident maple defoliation. The leaf stalk
is long, so cut through the middle with scissors. The
stalk will naturally drop off in time
The outer leaves and branches are pruned in order to Before work. Seen from above
maintain the shape and allow light inAfter defoliation. Seen from above. We can see the
inner leaves easily
This tree has been worked on in this way for more
than twenty years. The branches are not coarse, but
delicate and well refined. The results of this technique
are clear to seeAfter defoliation. Height: 12 cm Width: 20 cm. Two
weeks after this work has been done, the remaining
leaves will have grown and the second flush buds
will be pushing out. Repeat again and again until the
autumnSHOHIN
Removing the outer strong
leaves when the aim is to
preserve the structure
Work done during the growing season is
mainly defoliation. Trident maples are a
vigorous species and if a tree is healthy it
is possible to defoliate, cutting leaves off,
a number of times a year. In Japan it is
common to completely defoliate, once in
May and then a partial defoliation on the
second flush of leaves, removing only the
strongest external leaves.
However, Mr Komiya doesn't recommend
performing a complete defoliation.
'Complete defoliation will give a second
flush of leaves and allow you to create
dense ramification with short internodes.
This will often cause too many buds
to develop, becoming too dense. If the
unwanted buds are not removed quickly
the branches will soon become thick and
unusable. This is especially true with
shohin trees compared to larger bonsai.
Delicate branching is what we are aiming
for and removing unwanted buds can be
very difficult work, so it is better not to be
too aggressive with the defoliation as you
only cause more problems.'Partial defoliation
Mr Komiya performs a partial defoliation
when the first flush of leaves hardens
off in May. He cuts off only the external
strong leaves, allowing sunlight and fresh
air into the inner portion of the tree.
Dormant buds and inner buds will start
to grow, with a second flush of growth atthe tips. This will then be removed again
once the leaves harden off. This will be
repeated several times until the end of
September.
As it is not a complete defoliation, there
is less work to do with the second flush of
bud creation and fewer unwanted buds to
remove. This means less coarse growth.
'When a tree is early in its development
it is a good idea to perform a complete
defoliation to speed up the process, but
once a tree ages and develops, the same
rule of complete defoliation does not
apply. It is important to defoliate just
enough to allow the sunlight and air
to penetrate inside and to keep at the
forefront of your mind, how to develop
delicate branching and some deciduous
character, and then maintain that.'Defoliation gives a second flush of leaves
Bonsai Focus 41