How to trim a Japanese larch bonsai.

[vp999]

Hello guys! I need to trim a Japanese larch that I acquired from Will Hiltz a few months back, the tree is growing well and looking shaggy at the moment. Im wondering if I can cut back the needles/leaves to make it shorter or I have to trim the shoot. I need to make the leaves shorter to clean up the foliage pads. Thanks. Tommy

 

[leatherback]

As with all species, cut the branch, not the leaves. If you cut the needles, they will brown and eventually drop.

Tipping the brush-stage tufs also works

 

[vp999]

Thank you! I understand that but the length of the branch is fine, it’s just the leaves are too long so it messing up the “ pads” clean look.

 

[leatherback]

Larch always looks best in early spring, in my opinion.

I thin out the foliage on large, taking out the older needles in summer.

 

[vp999]

You are absolutely correct, love it when the leaves just breaking bud.

 

[WNC Bonsai]

Be careful how much you cut. Larch need the healthy fresh needles to help keep them cool through evapotranspiration. I killed 4 saplings last August by cutting back too much and the ensuring August heat wave knocked them out. I lived in the DC area (Fairfax/Manassas) much of my life and the hot humid summers will not be kind to larch. Down here in the mountains they are growing like crazy but I still am putting off cutting them back until the fall. See Peter Warren’s YoutTube video on larch care.

 

[vp999]

Thank you, mine is pretty old and have lots of new growth. Seem to be doing ok.

 

[vp999]

 

[leatherback]

If you gently pull all the needles that hang down from the pads, the tree will look much better.

 

[vp999]

Thank you.