Cutting of lateral branches on leader???

[Pepibom]

Hey there. I am developing a new leader on a bald cypress (not thinking of secondary branching yet- working towards first cut) I had someone recommend that in order for the leader to thicken quicker I should cut off all lateral branches on my leader and let a long “whip” run and thicken. Now my thinking is: wouldn’t leaving the lateral branches create more foliage, create, more energy, yes thickening those lateral branches but also the base of the leader—-where you want the most thickening??

Aren’t we hampering leader thickening by cutting off any growth above it??

 

[rockm]

Hey there. I am developing a new leader on a bald cypress (not thinking of secondary branching yet- working towards first cut) I had someone recommend that in order for the leader to thicken quicker I should cut off all lateral branches on my leader and let a long “whip” run and thicken. Now my thinking is: wouldn’t leaving the lateral branches create more foliage, create, more energy, yes thickening those lateral branches but also the base of the leader—-where you want the most thickening??

Aren’t we hampering leader thickening by cutting off any growth above it??

You are right. ALL growth above the chop thickens the trunk below. Removing growth above the chop slows thickening down.

 

[Shibui]

I think the reason for removing some laterals on sacrifice branches is to prevent too much shading which can reduce vigour of necessary lower branches. Most deciduous will bud on bare trunks so probably not necessary on BC and many other deciduous.
I agree that all growth above adds to thickening but sometimes we need to sacrifice some growth to maintain useful branching, etc below.

 

[bwaynef]

Obviously foliage thickens. I believe length thickens as well. Or length is more likely to allow movement (wind/animals) which leads to a thickening response.