Sacrifice Branch Bonsai
The application of this idea is where things can get tricky so let s start with a simple example.
Sacrifice branch bonsai. Sacrificing for better bonsai the huge girth and dramatic taper on this powerful satsuki azalea were achieved primarily through the use of sacrifice branches. Sacrifice branches assist in growing nicely tapered trunks. The bonsai art of kimura 2 by stone lantern publishing. Let the branches grow untill you reacht the girth you want this may be several meters tall in some cases to close the wounds grow sacrifice branches high in the tree.
The small tree at the base of this branch is the future bonsai. We can also use sacrifice branches to help healing wounds on our tree. The basic idea of sacrifice branches is a simple one. Letting the new leader grow will both thicken the new leader and accelerate the healing of the wound left by removing the sacrifice branch.
Removing the sacrifice branch. Develop sacrifice branches in order to thicken the trunk and then remove them when the trunk reaches the desired thickness. Also more vertical branch grows more energy due to gravitation is flowing through it. The main reason is to enhance growth in a specific area.
As i noted a few weeks ago the definition of a sacrifice branch is simple. My goal this year is to reverse this situation and strengthen the lower part of the tree while reducing the vigor of the sacrifice branches. Bonsai development series 4. Sacrifice branch and new leader as the sacrifice branch was fairly large i used a saw to remove it.
Last year i let the sacrifice branches grow on several pines while decandling the lower branches. March 16 2018 by jonas dupuich. Our basic rule of thumb is to leave the sacrifice branch until the new leader has a diameter about 2 3 that of the main trunk. In fact some are still being employed to help thicken the primary branches.
When growing multiple sacrificy branches start high up in the tree moving down. As a result the sacrifice branches became overly strong while the branches i cared about grew weak. In case you want to thicken some specific branch you can wire its tip into vertical position to strengthen energy flow. The tree is currently 20 tall to the top of the sacrifice branch but i expect the future height of the tree to be closer to 12.
Do not cut leaves from sacrifice branch. The sacrifice branch is a necessity in bonsai growing. The large branch that grows up and to the right is the sacrifice branch. Any branch used to achieve development goals that is not part of the final design.
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