Page 127 - Ebook cây cảnh Art of Bonsai

Making a broom-style bonsai 127

Improve the branch structure

1 Defoliate the tree. This not
Overcrowded
only reveals the structure of apex will benefit
the branches, but will also from pruning
encourage a smaller leaf size.
Remove the leaves one by one,
snipping them off at the leaf
stem. In most climates
zelkova can be defoliated two
or three times a year once the
leaves have hardened. Here,
in midsummer, the leaves are
hard to the touch, so can be
removed. The following
work can be done in winter
as well as after defoliation
in summer.

2 Examine the structure and
identify any congested points
or excessively strong growth.
Nodes where multiple strong
branches have been allowed
to grow will soon thicken up
and become unattractive. 1 2
The secret to success is
delicacy in the branches.

3 Where there are two or
more branches, decide which
ones to remove. It may be
better to remove a thick
branch and keep a thinner
one since this not only
improves taper but will
often—as in this case—
introduce a subtle change of
direction. Straight lines
indicate youthfulness while
branch lines with movement
indicate age.

4 Use branch cutters to take
out thick shoot tips. Cut close You may be able
and smooth to the trunk. to create a more
delicate image by
keeping thinner
branches
3 4