Trunks thickening in an old trident group

[Shibui]

I did not notice any problems when I trimmed last winter but this year when the leaves fell and I trimmed the excess growth I was dismayed at how much the tops of some of the trees have over thickened.


The thickening is not so apparent in the photos but something definitely needs to be done - and soon.

I can see why this has happened. Most here will be aware that branches crowded close together tend to over thicken the trunk/branch where they originate. For the past 20 years or so I have been building ramification and have left several small but short branches in the upper areas of the trunks to build a dense canopy. Appears I have left just a few too many too close in the past few years. Hopefully this post will help some newer growers understand the problems too many branches can cause.

I know the trunks are tall and thin - the result of trying to rush growth many years ago and not really understanding good pruning at that time.
I've idly contemplated reducing height for a few years now but when the bonsai is 40 years old I don't rush into radical pruning. The branches have also been trained out horizontal so there's also no great spots to cut back to without making the apex look awkward.
I've tried moving a couple of branches to see how well they would bend to create new leaders but at close to 40 years those branches are very stiff and brittle. One already broke where there was an old wound not properly healed.

Although the initial results might not be ideal, almost anything will be better than the current look and I'm hoping any pruning will induce some new buds that I may be able to use as new leaders in future.

 

[Shibui]

We've had almost constant rain for a few weeks and I've been trying to get other work done so the pruning of this group had to be postponed until yesterday when the sun finally made an appearance.

Here's the result.

Trunks cut at an angle above suitably placed branches and then sealed.

pruning back to branches below the worst thickening worked out well for the shorter trees.
Some already had suitably placed branches at an angle that looked good.


Even more horizontal branches can be OK where trees would naturally grow out and away from the taller trees.


The tallest tree is not so easy. It looks a bit odd with the top now growing sideways with no real reason. I'm still hoping for some back buds closer to the trunk that might be used to relace the lost leader.


Here's the branches I chopped.


And for those who though layering to create shohin or mame -

The bulges on that most are way too severe to be good small trees.
Even the best of them has no taper at all

I've always maintained that layering an inferior tree to produce 2 inferior trees is futile as well as just putting off the inevitable. Now, at least this group can begin healing and improving right away.