Beginner question about branch pruning

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Hi guys

I've been reading an article on bonsai4me.com and the one thing I don't understand from the pictures below, is if you prune back a branch hard like in the first picture, will it automatically fork into two new branches? Or do you have to cut above 2 buds, and that will create the fork?

Basically I'm just seeking clarity on how to get a branch to fork like this, where do you need to prune it back to?
 

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It is easiest to understand by first considering a Japanese maple. JMs have distinct nodes much like bamboo. JMs only sprout from nodes. JMs have opposing leaves (on opposite sides of the stem), hence axillary buds (at the base of leafs) are opposed, hence adventitious buds tend to be laterally opposed. If you cut back to just above a node, it will tend to generate two opposing sprouts = a newly forked branch.

Other species have alternating leafs, hence .... Cutting back leaving two nodes may generate a newly forked branch.

Lastly, the base of the branch is a node. So, if you prune back behind the last node on the branch, you get to start all over (and probably have more than just one new shoot to choose from).

Of course, all of this is 'in principle' - it depends on when you prune and etc. Nature doesn't always cooperate.
 
Just remember that most trees are apically dominant, which means they shoot from the end of a cut branch. You will get shoots first at the end of the cut branch if you dont have die back ....on some shoots will emerge bellow that as well.
So consider that when making a decision where you want your brunch to fork.
 
It is easiest to understand by first considering a Japanese maple. JMs have distinct nodes much like bamboo. JMs only sprout from nodes. JMs have opposing leaves (on opposite sides of the stem), hence axillary buds (at the base of leafs) are opposed, hence adventitious buds tend to be laterally opposed. If you cut back to just above a node, it will tend to generate two opposing sprouts = a newly forked branch.

Other species have alternating leafs, hence .... Cutting back leaving two nodes may generate a newly forked branch.

Lastly, the base of the branch is a node. So, if you prune back behind the last node on the branch, you get to start all over (and probably have more than just one new shoot to choose from).

Of course, all of this is 'in principle' - it depends on when you prune and etc. Nature doesn't always cooperate.

Thanks a lot of the great answer. That really clears things up :D
 
Just remember that most trees are apically dominant, which means they shoot from the end of a cut branch. You will get shoots first at the end of the cut branch if you dont have die back ....on some shoots will emerge bellow that as well.
So consider that when making a decision where you want your brunch to fork.

Thanks, ye I've researched a LOT on how trees work and how to develop deciduous branches etc. so I've got a plan in mind, at the moment my tree is going into the second season (south Africa) after being trunk chopped last season, with the new leader nice and thick with some good movement from last season. So this season will be careful to pick out the shoots to use as branches, develop the next leader section and keep everything in check considering apical dominance. Exciting times :)
 
Thanks, ye I've researched a LOT on how trees work and how to develop deciduous branches etc. so I've got a plan in mind, at the moment my tree is going into the second season (south Africa) after being trunk chopped last season, with the new leader nice and thick with some good movement from last season. So this season will be careful to pick out the shoots to use as branches, develop the next leader section and keep everything in check considering apical dominance. Exciting times :)
There are several ways to grow branches and induce back budding...try to read about them all.
 
Smoke's blog has a nice section on deciduous (Ulmus) branching.

Graham potter has a good you tube video on d branching.

A few Bonsai art of Japan episodes cover it as well.

Peter tea's blog is excellent.

What type of tree is yours? Opposite alternate?

Some trees, even of the same species, will react differently.

Best to experiment on an unnecessary branch first.

Sorce
 
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