Page 169 - Ebook cây cảnh Art of Bonsai

Rescuing a half-dead tree 169

Inspect, plan, and shape the branches

1 Inspect the tree. This
hornbeam was previously
at least twice the height, but
has died back to a single
branch and exploded in a
mass of leggy growth in all
directions, concealing the
half-dead trunk. Closer
inspection shows three major
branches coming from the
same location, and a few
smaller and weaker shoots
emerging from the trunk.
These tiny shoots are all
trimmed off to leave the
three major branches.

2 Wire the major branches.
Manipulate them slightly to
separate and spread out the
growth: the aim is to create
a definite branch structure.
Once the main structure is in
place, prune the secondary 1 2
branches into shape. Remove
or shorten any that grow
back into the tree, directly
upward or downward, and
thin out areas that are too
densely populated.

3 Wire the secondary
branches after thinning,
and bend them into position.
These branches have not yet
been pruned: it is much easier
to manipulate long shoots.

4 Prune the repositioned
branches into shape: imagine
the outline of the foliage
canopy, and make your cuts
accordingly. Leave areas that
need to grow slightly longer
and prune back shoots that
are already too long.

3 4