Developing Bonsai from the Top of Garden Trees

[Johnnyd]

I can't remember the book I got the idea from, but there was an illustration of Japanese bonsai growers developing there material starting from straight thick trunks. The idea of using the strength of an established tree to develop the next several sections over the course of a few years before layering off the new tree. The layers were about eye level for convenience, I assume. After the tree recovered they would repeat the process a little lower.
I decided to try it on a smaller established Chishio Japanese maple about 3 seasons ago and was happy with the results. Each section developed yearly and the scars from the previous years healed completely. I was able to direct growth easily to the top with light trimming on the lower section. If anyone knows the book and can reference the diagram please post it below.

 

[johng]

Thanks for sharing! If this isn't a regular practice for folks it should be

 

[Dabbler]

Good stuff!

 

[Johnnyd]

That is an interesting picture. A small forest in the forest. This idea could also be applied for yamadori, as long as the layer stays moist. Leave the shovel at home. If you're older, your back will appreciate it.

 

[Dav4]

I've done it once or twice...


7+ years later

 

[Johnnyd]

That looks amazing! I wonder if the lower half has recovered for another layer.

 

[Johnnyd]

A ' seiryu' Japanese maple with a branch near the top in a very convenient spot for layering and watering.

 

[Dav4]

That looks amazing! I wonder if the lower half has recovered for another layer.

I dug it the next spring and potted it up, but it didn't survive the summer.

 

[sevan]

Heron's Bonsai YouTube channel has quite a few videos along this line. They have a small forest of hornbeams that they are continuously air layering.

 

[Michael P]

In English the practice of cutting back trees for lumber or firewood is called coppice.

 

[stubmle]

Ohhhh is that when they get nice strong knucles at the end of branchs?

You're probably thinking of pollarding, which is a related practice.
Coppicing involves cutting the tree back to a stump and allowing it to regrow, usually resulting in what we would call a clump-style tree. Pollarding involves cutting the branches back to the trunk or to a large branch / sub-trunk, resulting in a "knob" or "club" shape.
Both techniques produce interesting forms, especially when done repeatedly over decades or centuries. Many of the oldest trees in Europe are the products of these techniques.

Coppice:


Pollard:

 

[Tidal Bonsai]

Turning the top of this trident into a future shohin.


I am using the strength it has in the ground to heal big wounds and develop taper before layering at the black line. Now that it's leaflets, I see one more big reduction I have to make...

 

[Johnnyd]

That's going to be a killer tree! Are you sure you have room for that?