AusBonsai

Hi guys.

I've recently purchased a kick-ass Liquid Amber but it's in need of some hard pruning.
Being deciduous I thought winter would be the time to prune it however I've read that it can cause branch die back and ugly upward growing branches.

Wondering what's worked for you guys or what you'd recommend.

Thanks,

Josh.

I have several and I prune either early Spring, or thru the growing season

None of mine are Kick ass trees but are developing

Ken

Thanks for the reply.

Well this is the first tree that I've got that has a developed trunk and nebari.
It makes it seem kick-ass compared to my other trees

should I root prune and hard prune at the same time?

Josh

I do both at the end of winter on Deciduous trees, Had no problems as yet
At this time I will aslo wire if needed.

I would not do all on Pine though at the same time

Ken

Message Deleted

I've recently purchased a kick-ass Liquid Amber

Can you post a photo Josh?

Jon

Hey, I've worked with Liquid Ambers for several years and I treat them just as harsh/tender as any other deciduous. However, I do find them a little more hardy than most... So being a little more aggressive with the root and branch pruning I think you can get away with. However, my thoughts always turn to $$$. The more you spend on a tree, then less aggressively you prune...

Post some pics!!

Hi Josh,
You can safely prune branches in mid summer as they send out prolific new shoots and cuts heal very quickly. I wouldn't recommend repotting in summer if you intend to bare root the tree. If the roots dry out your plant will die. You can however safely trim back the roots if you leave about 2/3 of the root ball untouched. Generally you should time your main pruning, (root & branches) of deciduous trees to when the buds begin to swell but before they open. This is usually in late winter to early spring. Observe your tree as it is more reliable than a month as weather patterns vary around the country and even within the same city (due to micro climates).

Edward

Here are the pics

I consider it kick-ass due to the fact that:
a) I live in SA where it's hard to find good nursery stock (or yamadori other than olives and ashes for that fact)
b) It has great taper and a 4" trunk with a decent nebari
c) my vision for the tree
The bag it's in is approx 1 1/2 foot tall and doesn't absorb water that fast so I'm presuming it need it's roots cut back fairly drastically.

Nice!! don't tell us where you got it from, we will wipe out your stash!
Sign up to the society and try get a spot for march for Glenis Bebb, even if you miss a spot you should find helpful people at any workshop held.

I'm paying my membership on tuesday Asus!
I don't know if you were at the last meeting but it was my first time there and I loved it.
Getting time off work to go to the Glenis Bebb wokshop will be hard....

Definitely Kick ass great find. I have only worked on a small couple. I sold one of them the other day it was starting to look cute the leaves were reducing well but it would have never been anything great. I later found my neighbour has bought it She asked for advice over the fence but don't know why she bothered I think she still keeps it inside

The advice for major pruning has been interesting. I recently read in a newsletter I think, not to do major pruning in mid summer. I believe I have in the past though. I would leave the tree to grow as is until late winter or even better early spring. Fine pruning of stray adventagous shoots is fine all growing season, but I see little need for this until you style. There is also no reason to re pot this at the moment. Wait until spring as buds swell so you can give it a thorough going over. Hence I would re pot and hard style prune in spring as the buds swell.

You can also defoliate to reduce the size of the leaves.
Penny.

Hey Josh,

Great tree. Best part about this tree is the taper you would get by picking a line in the trunk and cutting all of those major branches right off. Start with a blank canvas for new branches to grow, they shoot back quite easily, then you can take your pick of the best placed branches.

Cheers,
Leigh.

Ledanta wrote:Hey Josh,

Great tree. Best part about this tree is the taper you would get by picking a line in the trunk and cutting all of those major branches right off. Start with a blank canvas for new branches to grow, they shoot back quite easily, then you can take your pick of the best placed branches.

Cheers,
Leigh.

Yeah I've thought about that and I'm reluctant to do this as the tree has great potential in a few different forms but I'm starting to think you're right. The Taper is the best part of the tree and should be accentuated.

Josh.