When to prune?

[Javaman4373]

I have a few local hawthorns in pots and they are putting on vigorous growth this spring. My question is when do you prune them to promote ramification. My largest hawthorn is a good size stump in its second year since collection-image attached. I have cut off a few new branches that are growing straight up or straight down. I ma not sure if I should let the new growth run during this summer season or do some pruning and when to do it. The back side of this hawthorn died back as apparently the roots for that section failed to sustain it.

 

[99 Mile Creek]

I'll let someone more experinced with hawthorn answer.

I just wanted to ask, was this the same hawthorn you collected in 2022 here? https://www.bonsainut.com/threads/hawthorn-management.55684/

 

[Javaman4373]

No, that is this one.

 

[99 Mile Creek]

No, that is this one.

That's developed quite well. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

Your hawthorns look very different than mine, I believe that has to do with the fact that we're on different continents. We might be dealing with different species all together.
I let mine run until the new branches turn from green to grey or purple, whatever comes first. Then they stall for a little bit, that's when I come in and do the cuts; leaving at least three leaves on every branchlet.
It then takes about four weeks before the second flush happens, I let that one run until the end of summer and then do another cut back.

 

[Shibui]

When to prune depends what your aim is.
Your tree has a huge trunk with skinny branches.
Pruning will promote ramification but will slow thickening. If you are happy to have well ramified skinny branches you can start pruning.
I would prefer the branches to be thicker to match the trunk so I'd probably allow a few years free growth to add some size then chop. Hawthorns respond well to hard chop so allowing growth won't prevent later ramification.

 

[Javaman4373]

When to prune depends what your aim is.
Your tree has a huge trunk with skinny branches.
Pruning will promote ramification but will slow thickening. If you are happy to have well ramified skinny branches you can start pruning.
I would prefer the branches to be thicker to match the trunk so I'd probably allow a few years free growth to add some size then chop. Hawthorns respond well to hard chop so allowing growth won't prevent later ramification.

Thanks, that is the info I was looking for. The branches I have were the result of only two growing seasons starting from nothing. Correction to original post, I collected the tree in the spring of 2023.