AusBonsai

Someone asked the other day how do you reduce leaf size. Well without even trying I did it. Some time ago I bought 2 Ash trees (Fraxinus excelsior). They were the same size, both root bound and both had same size leaves. I cut one back quite hard and then choose a leader which I let grow. I chopped the new leader several times and also removed all branches several times back to just stems. I believe I also chopped the main trunk a second time as I damaged the main leader and chose to start again with it.
The second tree I waited till the first one had reshot and grown a bit to get some idea how it would respond then I gave the 2nd tree a trunk chop as well, quite a few months later though.
Well I was watering yesterday and I noticed with the two trees how much difference there was in the leaf size. Now I have made no attempt so far to reduce the leaf size so this was quite inspiring to me. I know this isn't anything special but to a relative newbie and this is the first tree I have actually seen the leaf reduce on I was quite excited.
Josh

The one on the right has had several chops which would equate to defoliation I guess

I think several chops will equal more growing points (tips) and more leaves - that is the main factor in smaller leaves. Defoliation is just one way of getting there. More regular pinching (or pruning as you have done) is a far better way.

Maybe you could do a quick count of the number of growing tips and leaves on each of these trees and let us know Josh.

shibui wrote:

The one on the right has had several chops which would equate to defoliation I guess

I think several chops will equal more growing points (tips) and more leaves - that is the main factor in smaller leaves. Defoliation is just one way of getting there. More regular pinching (or pruning as you have done) is a far better way.

Maybe you could do a quick count of the number of growing tips and leaves on each of these trees and let us know Josh.

You are spot on the tree with only one chop has 4 branches coming off with only a few branchlets on each. The other has around 10 main branches and each has 6-10 branchlets on them. So the tree with multiple chops has way more branches than the other as you said. Good call and that one.
I love watching the way trees grow and develop. Sometimes I think it's good to have a practice tree to just hack apart and watch how it responds to various methods.

Thanks
Josh