I’m new to bonsais and I got this crabapple recently and I was wondering since the sacrificial branch is so low is it even worth it to keep it? It’s also taller then the main branch too so should I prune it, remove all together or just leave it be? And someone told me I should remove the root that it was growing off of should i do that too?Also it was brought inside just for the photo I don’t leave it inside.
Should I keep this sacrificial branch?
- Thread starter Mercury
- Start date
pandacular
Masterpiece
Sucker sacrifices are usually not very effective and sometimes can risk the tree. I’d cut it.
River's Edge
Imperial Masterpiece
I would suggest girdling the root and leaving the sacrifice branch in place. It will take a while but the branch will then begin to do what was intended and the shock to the tree will be gradual, Reducing risk and improving the outcome.
Nera
Mame
- Messages
- 102
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- USDA Zone
- 9b
Yes, remove the sucker.
leatherback
The Treedeemer
It is connected in an odd angle, and low on the base like this might take a long time to grow into something smooth.
I would consider using a fine-toothed saw and cutting flush along the trunk, and separating the sucker + its root from the trunk, grow it as a second tree.
I would consider using a fine-toothed saw and cutting flush along the trunk, and separating the sucker + its root from the trunk, grow it as a second tree.
Shibui
Imperial Masterpiece
Lots of different opinions - as is often the case with bonsai.
That low shoot is receiving most of it's food and water from the high root so it will be doing very little to thicken the trunk below that root. If the root is left on you will almost certainly see inverse taper on the main stem below that root. Looks like the main trunk is already starting to thicken above the root so may be a little too late already.
Cutting the root only will move the sucker back to rely on the main trunk and roots for nutrient and water so it will help thicken that lower section but you do risk a large scar when it is eventually removed.
Other options include build up soil level to above the root and hope to get new roots around that point so you'll eventually have a twin trunk bonsai.
Definitely prune the long sucker back if you don't chop it completely. Leaving it longer than the main trunk will only slow growth of the main trunk. Looks like there are relatively few branches on the trunk anyway so the main trunk might require pruning at some stage but that can wait for the future.
Good to hear the tree is outside. The new growth on that sucker appears to have longish internodes which would indicate low light levels. You have not given a location so hard to advise what might be suitable sun exposure for your area. Given the ling internodes I'd suggest a little more sun each day if you are able to manage water needs with the extra sun and heat.
That low shoot is receiving most of it's food and water from the high root so it will be doing very little to thicken the trunk below that root. If the root is left on you will almost certainly see inverse taper on the main stem below that root. Looks like the main trunk is already starting to thicken above the root so may be a little too late already.
Cutting the root only will move the sucker back to rely on the main trunk and roots for nutrient and water so it will help thicken that lower section but you do risk a large scar when it is eventually removed.
Other options include build up soil level to above the root and hope to get new roots around that point so you'll eventually have a twin trunk bonsai.
Definitely prune the long sucker back if you don't chop it completely. Leaving it longer than the main trunk will only slow growth of the main trunk. Looks like there are relatively few branches on the trunk anyway so the main trunk might require pruning at some stage but that can wait for the future.
Good to hear the tree is outside. The new growth on that sucker appears to have longish internodes which would indicate low light levels. You have not given a location so hard to advise what might be suitable sun exposure for your area. Given the ling internodes I'd suggest a little more sun each day if you are able to manage water needs with the extra sun and heat.
