Courageous cut

Danielm

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Hi all

Just bought a nice little stock cherry tree and want to thicken the trunk this season to make a nice little Bonsai so wondered if I could get a few little pointers of where to make the cuts
3B0957AA-4F0C-4C43-A747-4FE6DC383A31.jpeg3B0957AA-4F0C-4C43-A747-4FE6DC383A31.jpegI think this will be the front and the left hand branch the main trunk leader ....
 

Danielm

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And then cut off the left branch.
It will give you a direction change and taper.
Hi Mike thanks for the feedback.

I’m obviously new but I thought that you need to cut off top growth to thicken trunks? so that energy is not wasted on the top of the tree but is used to enlarge roots and the trunk?
 

M. Frary

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Hi Mike thanks for the feedback.

I’m obviously new but I thought that you need to cut off top growth to thicken trunks? so that energy is not wasted on the top of the tree but is used to enlarge roots and the trunk?
To thicken a trunk the plant needs to grow freely. Top growth fuels root growth,root growth promotes top growth.
You could put it in a large bucket for a couple years to fatten up some. They fatten up in a bucket faster than in the ground the first couple years then slow down because the roots don't have anywhere to go. It takes a couple years to acclimate in the ground but once that happens trees grow the fastest.
I suggested cutting it so while it's growing out it has time to heal the scar.
 

sorce

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Hi Mike thanks for the feedback.

I’m obviously new but I thought that you need to cut off top growth to thicken trunks? so that energy is not wasted on the top of the tree but is used to enlarge roots and the trunk?

Once you cut that energy off it can be used anywhere....it is cut off.

There is a phenomenon where you get so enthralled with these tiny trees you literally forget basic facts we learned about how trees grow in elementary school!

Time to Google "how trees grow"..
Seems silly but we all been there.

It reminds us we are using REGULAR OLD TREES...and they grow exactly the same way in a pot, only a bit slower.

There is No magic, only Nature.

The best place to make those cuts is in the future!

Nice!

Sorce
 

Cadillactaste

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Since your new to bonsai...assuming that. Why not share all four sides...sometimes we can't see something better that is hidden to our naked eyes. So we see the potential in all sides. Before chopping.
 

Danielm

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Since your new to bonsai...assuming that. Why not share all four sides...sometimes we can't see something better that is hidden to our naked eyes. So we see the potential in all sides. Before chopping.
Sure that’s a cool idea I’ll get on it :)
 

Danielm

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To thicken a trunk the plant needs to grow freely. Top growth fuels root growth,root growth promotes top growth.
You could put it in a large bucket for a couple years to fatten up some. They fatten up in a bucket faster than in the ground the first couple years then slow down because the roots don't have anywhere to go. It takes a couple years to acclimate in the ground but once that happens trees grow the fastest.
I suggested cutting it so while it's growing out it has time to heal the scar.
That’s really helpful thanks Mike ... I’ll repot into a tub and take it from there
 

Danielm

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Here’s the view for all sides ... 9595D75C-ADE1-40B3-B46F-D5EA7FC2FD08.jpeg
 

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sorce

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This photo is concerning....while the opposite side looks fused...
This seems a seam...

2018-04-15-08-36-59.jpg

Where digging down will prove the best future for This...as always of course....Base first.

Since you won't cut any tool off this year...ahem!...

I think you're ok to have a dig down to the flare.

If these are separate...cutting that left trunk may ruin a lot of possibilities...

That side may be an individual tree... And maybe then the skiiny side can be used as a literati of sorts....

Dig . More pics! Too much unknown still!

Sorce
 

GrimLore

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Brush some of the surface substrate away at that base and get some pictures of that trunk as @sorce suggested. Could be other options to consider.

Grimmy
 

GrimLore

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It seem quite straight down there ....

Cool and being what it is I suspect that green algae type growth is because it was hot house grown. As is that will disappear if you put it in full sun this year with good air movement. Myself I would paint it with a weak Sulfur solution to speed up the process :)

I am growing out a twin trunk as I type, was supposed to be a Peach tree but oh well :p The Cherry is more commonly used in Bonsai but I just wanted some damn juicy fresh Peaches :p

Grimmy
 

Danielm

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Cool and being what it is I suspect that green algae type growth is because it was hot house grown. As is that will disappear if you put it in full sun this year with good air movement. Myself I would paint it with a weak Sulfur solution to speed up the process :)

I am growing out a twin trunk as I type, was supposed to be a Peach tree but oh well :p The Cherry is more commonly used in Bonsai but I just wanted some damn juicy fresh Peaches :p

Grimmy
That’s cool Grimmy I’ll knock up a weak solution and give it a try.
My next project is a pomegranate but they seem hard to get over here
 

GrimLore

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That’s cool Grimmy I’ll knock up a weak solution and give it a try. My next project is a pomegranate but they seem hard to get over here

Location - Fruits where I am at Zone 6 -7 grow great, if a pitted fruit like Apple, Crabapple, Peach, Cherry, Quince, Apricot, and even Pear. Pomegranate here requires a LOT more inside time in a plant room like Banana and Citrus. I am not certain what your grow conditions are and indoor/outdoor growing options are but I would suspect Pomegranate would be difficult there so it is not offered making it uncommon. :)

Grimmy
 

Danielm

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Location - Fruits where I am at Zone 6 -7 grow great, if a pitted fruit like Apple, Crabapple, Peach, Cherry, Quince, Apricot, and even Pear. Pomegranate here requires a LOT more inside time in a plant room like Banana and Citrus. I am not certain what your grow conditions are and indoor/outdoor growing options are but I would suspect Pomegranate would be difficult there so it is not offered making it uncommon. :)

Grimmy
Yep I guess so ... but the search continues ;)
 

drew33998

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This photo is concerning....while the opposite side looks fused...
This seems a seam...

View attachment 187057

Where digging down will prove the best future for This...as always of course....Base first.

Since you won't cut any tool off this year...ahem!...

I think you're ok to have a dig down to the flare.

If these are separate...cutting that left trunk may ruin a lot of possibilities...

That side may be an individual tree... And maybe then the skiiny side can be used as a literati of sorts....

Dig . More pics! Too much unknown still!

Sorce
Yes scrape the too layer of dirt off until you notice the base buttressing and harder roots. I bet you will be surprised. I'm thinking 2 inches down is where the true base will be
 

Danielm

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Interesting Drew I shall revisit the roots this evening and post an update :cool:
 
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