AusBonsai

1. Do you want the trunk thicker below that level? - yes = leave them; no/ don't care = get rid of them
2. Is the shoot on the front of the trunk? Will a scar be a problem on that part of the tree? - yes = get rid of it; no = you could leave it.

Choice is yours, not mine.

Can't do any harm, think I would leave all and see what happens.

Thanks Neil and Craig. This is not the front....so I reckon I won't be too concerned about another scar or two. I was just wondering if there might be too many new shoots there...which I thought might cause it to swell at that point, rather than below?

Hi Mel,

I can see you have already puttied over a large scar under the new shoots. I believe if you let the closest shoot extend and thicken a little, it would help the large scar heal due to the increased sap flow in the area. May be useful for someone more experienced to confirm how close the shoot has to be to the old scar for this to work well.

Cheers,
Pearcy.

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Cheers Pearcy, yes there was a very large branch removed from there. I'd forgotten about the healing help the new growth could give, thanks!

I was just wondering if there might be too many new shoots there...which I thought might cause it to swell at that point, rather than below?

I see that now. Not usually a problem ... for a while but you know there may be an issue so just watch carefully and if it looks like causing reverse taper whip one off quick.

I believe if you let the closest shoot extend and thicken a little, it would help the large scar heal due to the increased sap flow in the area

I have not found this. Another branch close to the scar may help it heal a little but after removing the new branch you have another scar joining the old one which makes it bigger again. I think the shoot in the picture is far enough away from the existing scar to be OK.

I see that now. Not usually a problem ... for a while but you know there may be an issue so just watch carefully and if it looks like causing reverse taper whip one off quick.

Thanks Neil, I'll keep a close eye on it.

I have not found this. Another branch close to the scar may help it heal a little but after removing the new branch you have another scar joining the old one which makes it bigger again. I think the shoot in the picture is far enough away from the existing scar to be OK.

Good point about making a bigger scar! I'll watch them closely and get them off if it looks like causing any problems.

Thanks so much.