Sacrifice branching vs escape branching?

[ACooke]

Apologies if this has and is readily discussed.

I watched a video recently where the practitioner was advocating for the use of 'escape' branches as opposed to sacrifice branches.

I'd (in my short bonsai 'career') only previously been familiar with the all-encompassing term of sacrifice branches, but in-case it's not just my ignorance (and I'm sure it is) I believe the differentiating factor is mainly the an escape branch is one that you just send for the clouds, removing all side branching, budding, growth etc. and just let the growing tip shoot for the stars.

The logic behind this sounds to be (at least I believe so) that the branch will be much longer, and thinner and result in a smaller scar for what I presume is to be comparable trunk growth.

My question is as to whether other have seen that to be the case; and additional what in particular leads to the trunk growth?

I was under the impression it was foliar surface area - more leaves = more girth? If this is the case then it seems you just want as much foliage as possible (without shading out etc.)?

So would a long, thin branch with minimal foliage equate to ~ the same trunk growth as a smaller thicker branch with equal foliage mass?

Would a shorter branch with more foliage mass thicken the trunk more than a longer branch with less foliage mass?

Is there mechanical leverage inputs that will thicken the trunk - ie. if a branch is extremely long with minimal foliage mass, will the fact that the branch and trunk needs to support that foliage way out on a limb equate to greater than normal thickening of that branch and therefore, trunk?


I suspect I'm over thinking this now and it's probably more simplistic than what I've drummed up in my head now; so hopefully I'm not feeling like a fool after a reply or two but would be interested as to whether any one has any experience or input in to differing methods and outcomes.


NB: it seems I misunderstood what was meant by the term 'escape branch', although it doesn't differ too largely from what I suspected and hopefully the above questions will be interesting to someone other than just myself haha. Thanks

 

[czaczaja]

Is this the video you are referring to?

I've only heard that term yesterday for the first time but mainly from what Terry says the difference is that Sacrifice branches are horizontal where Escape branch is vertical and supposedly results in a smaller scar.
Also removing it over several years helps healing as evident from the video.
Not sure there is a significant difference between the fattening effect between the two.

 

[ACooke]

Yeh it is. I didn’t want to mention it with fear of coming across like i was second guessing his method - i’ve watched a lot of his stuff and really enjoy it/have learned a lot - but was just curious; which seemingly stemmed partly from me misunderstanding what he was saying + partly due my mind running with the concept.

I believe a large component in him follow this method is getting the branch and foliage up and out of the way; which makes sense.

 

[Kievnstavick]

This honestly just sounds like an exercise in semantics. To me, the two words here (Escape branches and sacrifice branches) means the exact same thing regardless of the amount of foliage on the piece and the methods used.
I would differentiate between a sacrificial leader/trunk and a sacrificial branch.

With my current knowledge or horticulture, I don't know if I'd agree with his method of sacrifice removal being better then just removing it entirely. By doing his method, you are just removing the Phloem and potentially the Xylem. All that really is doing is preventing the sarifical portion from supplying the rest of the tree with the nutrients it is producing while (potentially) still consuming water from the host. Both halves are also expending their nutrients towards healing the cut site which Terry proceeds to reopen in the next year. The only real benefit I can foresee is that the heartwood remains moist and alive around the wound site in which the callus can still grow over. I wouldn't think it would result in a smaller scar.

Someone with more experience with either method and some more concrete understanding of horticulture can chime with their opinion and correct any fallacies on my part.

 

[leatherback]

To be honest, I am not convinced there is a true difference between the two. I use sacrifice branch for all these situations, but I am not a native English speaker..

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Heard both terms.

Whatever, seems like the same thing, just a different term for a branch that will contribute to the girth of the trunk ..Or a particular primary or secondary branch and trunk. As it’s the exact phenomena, kinda confusing to add another term.

What’s important to remember is the position of the sacrifice/escape branch on apex or along the side of the trunk or branch will contribute to the girth of the trunk and/or branch downwards from the point of attachment of the sacrifice to the roots.

cheers
DSD sends

 

[czaczaja]

Heard both terms.

Whatever, seems like the same thing, just a different term for a branch that will contribute to the girth of the trunk ..Or a particular primary or secondary branch and trunk. As it’s the exact phenomena, kinda confusing to add another term.

What’s important to remember is the position of the sacrifice/escape branch on apex or along the side of the trunk or branch will contribute to the girth of the trunk and/or branch downwards from the point of attachment of the sacrifice to the roots.

cheers
DSD sends

Very good point. Lateral sacrifice branch can be used to increase the taper in a specific area whereas apical branch 'feeds' the whole tree.

 

[River's Edge]

Sometimes individuals like to create their own terminology! The difference created in terms of location of growth is due to positioning as indicated by others in the thread above. Apical trunk leaders or sacrifice branches that are allowed to escape vertically will provide better results than sacrifice leaders or sacrifice branches that are allowed to escape ( run ) horizontally! This due to apical bud dominance with higher levels of auxin. Removal of needles/foliage lower on the apical leader or sacrifice branch shifts the energy to the tip providing stronger extension and faster thickening. The other purpose of needle or foliage reduction is to reduce shading of buds and shoots in the interior on branches intended to become part of the final design. Opening the interior to more light strengthens the weaker areas of the tree during development.

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Very good point. Lateral sacrifice branch can be used to increase the taper in a specific area whereas apical branch 'feeds' the whole tree.

Right. Correctly stated the lateral sacrifice will increase taper to the side branch …..and will contribute to expand the girth of the trunk from the sacrifice’s point of attachment on the branch all the way down to the roots.

One can add what @River's Edge said and consider the use of sacrifices as another multifaceted developmental tool in one’s bonsai toolbox

Best
DSD sends

 

[leatherback]

Considering the direction the discussion is taking, I feel comfortable sneaking this in here.

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

…for a more detailed explanation about taper see the attached file copied from @Forsoothe a few years back…

Cheers
DSD ssnds