How late in the season can you defoliate?

[badatusernames]

Didn’t see a thread about this so figured I’d start one.

I thought it’d be too late in the season to defoliate, but I’ve seen posts on instagram showing folks doing at least trident maple now.

I have some tridents I’d like to let grow a couple more weeks then defoliate if it’s not too bad for them, and a Chinese quince as well. On the latter I want to ensure fresh growth from pruning earlier this season has hardened well enough before wiring.

Not in a rush, so waiting is fine, but it’d be nice to move things along if it’s not dangerous.

Thought I’d ask opinions!

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Tridents are pretty tough. The main keys to defoliation that we go by are the tree is very healthy, there are enough growing days left for the tree to fully recover and return enough resources to the roots so the roots have a healthy cushion to get through winter. Finally not to do it every year.

I’d say in Maine you are coming up against the limit unless you have a cold greenhouse the tree goes in. In that case usually add 2 weeks plus to either end of the growing season.

Best
DSD sends

 

[leatherback]

Didn’t see a thread about this so figured I’d start one.

I thought it’d be too late in the season to defoliate, but I’ve seen posts on instagram showing folks doing at least trident maple now.

I have some tridents I’d like to let grow a couple more weeks then defoliate if it’s not too bad for them, and a Chinese quince as well. On the latter I want to ensure fresh growth from pruning earlier this season has hardened well enough before wiring.

Not in a rush, so waiting is fine, but it’d be nice to move things along if it’s not dangerous.

Thought I’d ask opinions!

after the longest day, it gets ever increasing dificult to get trees to backbud after defoliation. I am on edge with one of my hornbeams (Which is not happy but should still push) and I have a few maples, which I will no longer do major work on. Local conditions will affect this massively. My growing season can be over in 2 1/2 months. Probably will get another month, but october really is a potential first frost month here.

 

[badatusernames]

Got it, thanks! I think I may hold off, no reason to rush

 

[Shibui]

Got it, thanks! I think I may hold off, no reason to rush

Good call.
Defoliation is much misunderstood. Still see people promote it as a way to reduce leaf size. My experience is that does not usually occur - at least not directly.
Defoliation can promote more ramification if used well and that extra ramification can result indirectly in smaller leaves. That process can take several years and several rounds of defoliation to achieve noticeable change in leaf size.
I find that defoliation of younger, developing trees is counterproductive as it stalls growth while the tree mobilises to grow new leaves. During development phases growth is far more use than branching and ramification. Ramification can be achieved in the latter stages of development by promoting growth and pruning regularly.

In more developed stock partial defoliation seems to be a much more productive tool.
Defoliation can also be used to replace sun damaged leaves if you really need a good autumn display of good colour.

Before embarking on wholesale defoliation program research the negatives and benefits and decide when, how and why to apply it.

 

[badatusernames]

Good call.
Defoliation is much misunderstood. Still see people promote it as a way to reduce leaf size. My experience is that does not usually occur - at least not directly.
Defoliation can promote more ramification if used well and that extra ramification can result indirectly in smaller leaves. That process can take several years and several rounds of defoliation to achieve noticeable change in leaf size.
I find that defoliation of younger, developing trees is counterproductive as it stalls growth while the tree mobilises to grow new leaves. During development phases growth is far more use than branching and ramification. Ramification can be achieved in the latter stages of development by promoting growth and pruning regularly.

In more developed stock partial defoliation seems to be a much more productive tool.
Defoliation can also be used to replace sun damaged leaves if you really need a good autumn display of good colour.

Before embarking on wholesale defoliation program research the negatives and benefits and decide when, how and why to apply it.

Yeah these are older and I’d be doing it for ramification

Cool cool, like I said I’ll wait. Figured it was too late and certainly much later than I ever have.