Larch pruning

[defra]

Elsewere on the web there is a discussion going on on pruning larches

Some say dont prune while active growing period

Some say prune troughout the season untill the last bud of the season is visible
(This is what i am doing this year but its my first so no experience or whatsoever)

So my question is how do you prune/treat your larches and why do you do it that way whats your experiences

 

[M. Frary]

I pinch and prune whenever.

 

[Soldano666]

Yup anytime seems to be okay with mine too

 

[defra]

I pinch and prune whenever.

Yup anytime seems to be okay with mine too

Someone said when you do that multiple years in a row you weaken the plant significantntly causing it to die eventualy so how many years now you are doing it this way ?

 

[M. Frary]

All of them.

 

[Soldano666]

Just a couple years on 2 trees I'm trying to keep refined. I let the shoots run to about 5-6 inches and cut back early summer. Then pinch thr new shoots mid late summer. This is to build ramification and keep the inner and lower branches healthy. Never heard of it weakening a tree. Colin lewis told me to pinch all summer to keep a refined shape. I dont go that hard tho as to keep some vigor in the tree

 

[Wilson]

It seems like the speed that these grow, you just trim all the time. Even in my climate these get cut almost every time I walk past!

 

[twisted trees]

I've been propagating larch in large quantities for over 15 years. They are apically and terminally dominant meaning all the growth goes to the top shoot and the end of the branches. This happens until each shoot forms a terminal bud then quits gor the season. When you trim these shoots the inner buds will elongate until terminal dominance is reestablished. By pruning all year long the tree ramifies and grows continually until fall.
There is an article on larch propagation in the 2016/3 issue of International Bonsai magazine that is worth reading.

 

[leatherback]

I keep them growing for a bit in spring. Depending on the size of the tree and the placement, I then trim them later or earlier. Typically between 5 and 20cm of length is the max any will reach. I will cut to maybe 3 cm length and then stay on the ball all season, never allow a lot of extension. Only in late season let I growth them again.

I have only experiences weakening when I let it grow too long: The inner buds on branches weaken as they do not get light anymore. As larch do not / not reliably produce backbuds, I find that a big problem. So I keep them fairly well trimmed.

My bet: The persons advising against trimming do not actually have larch themselves.

 

[defra]

My bet: The persons advising against trimming do not actually have larch themselves.

Thats a possibility!

Reading all this reply's confirm ny toughts

My common sense made me think that if a tree grows and is allowed to do so it will stay healthy and keeps growing even if it gets pruned a couple times a year

They are apically and terminally dominant meaning all the growth goes to the top shoot and the end of the branches.

Explains to me @leatherbacks experience its even nessecary to keep pruning to keep the inner growth healthy and alive as well

Also it makes mee feel good that i did it the right way cus my larch is one of my favorite tree's

@twisted trees thnx for the info i will try to find that article

 

[twisted trees]

@twisted trees thnx for the info i will try to find that article

Get hold of Billl Valavanis at the International Bonsai Arboretum and buy the magazine. The whole issue focuses on larch.

 

[twisted trees]

There is an article on larch propagation in the 2016/3 issue of International Bonsai magazine that is worth reading.

That should be larch cultivation.