AusBonsai

I'm wondering how many different types of native trees can be fully defoliated!? (Given the right season and location.)

To be specific i want to defoliate a Syzygium i have and treat it like a fig! (it's amazingly healthy, due for a repot next spring). When i collected it 2 years ago, it came back from much worse......

anyone done the same with knowledge to share?
cheers

NS. , go for it mate, you can defol Syzgium with no problems. If you wish you can leave only the very smallest leaves on the tree, they can always be removed later on

Most are pretty hardy, I bought an advanced nursery stock tree with a trunk approx 10cm at ground level and flat chopped it like an olive. It has thumped away so hard I am constantly rubbing off unwanted shoots. If this rain ever stops I will get a pic for you.

Matt

I have done it with them and Olives and Grewias, as well as figs, so it should not be a problem on a healthy tree.

One tree I did do, and it did not recover was a Natal Plum. I was very dissapointed about that have not been able to find another decent one either.


Cheers Pup

I have done it with them and Olives

Do Olives respond well to being defoliated Pup?

siddhar wrote:

I have done it with them and Olives

Do Olives respond well to being defoliated Pup?

Mine have at this time of year on healthy trees, some times they are a bit slow but they do go well.

Cheers Pup

I was a bit off on measurements, the base is 15cm across at ground level, height is just under 40cm. It was flat cut in August and has just gone from strength to strength. Roots are showing at the drainage holes & a few have even grown above the soil level thanks to the constant rain we have been getting. Matt

Pup wrote:I have done it with them and Olives and Grewias, as well as figs, so it should not be a problem on a healthy tree.

Defoliating Grewias.....I should have realised given that they are virtually deciduous here. Thanks for that little tidbit Pup.

Cheers,
Mojo