Stupid question?

[Littlejoe919]

I'll be defoliating my trident for the first time this spring. How do I know when the leafs have hardened off?
Thanks

 

[AlainK]

Why do you want to defoliate it?

Some deciduous like Japanese maples can be defoliated so the new leaves are smaller, on well-established trees, but I doubt that for Acer buergerianum it is very efficient.

Anyway, defoliating trees is usually carried on in late spring/early summer (here, last week of May, first two weeks of June) when leaves have hardened.

But I really can't see the point for Acer buergerianum....

 

[JudyB]

When the leaves turn a darker green and a bit leathery. I would say that trident defoliation is a good technique to use, to get light down into the interior and smaller leaves. I only do outer canopy defoliation on mine. At least one of every pair, then cut the second leaf in half. Can't imagine why @AlainK you think this is not useful for trident? I think even more useful than JM.

 

[MichaelS]

If you want good fine branching on tridents, partial defoliation is essential. Twice a year at least. The quickest way is to use your thumb, index and middle fingers. You go down a branch into the canopy grab the branch reasonable tightly and pull upwards stripping off all the leaves of that branch. Then you go back and trim it to one or 2 nodes. It is vital to get light into the tree's interior or you will loose all the work hard work of the previous years. Cutting leave with scissors is mind numbing and unnecessary. You won't damage buds by using fingers. Also, whenever you walk past your tree, remove any large leaf or group of leaves that is shading others behind it too much. This is all standard maintenance for tridents. There is no need for full defoliation.

 

[Littlejoe919]

Why do you want to defoliate it?

Some deciduous like Japanese maples can be defoliated so the new leaves are smaller, on well-established trees, but I doubt that for Acer buergerianum it is very efficient.

Anyway, defoliating trees is usually carried on in late spring/early summer (here, last week of May, first two weeks of June) when leaves have hardened.

But I really can't see the point for Acer buergerianum....

I hope it's okay to post this here, but here's why @AlainK: https://peterteabonsai.wordpress.com/2012/06/12/the-trident-maple-project-and-summer-maple-work/

 

[sorce]

You go down a branch into the canopy grab the branch reasonable tightly and pull upwards stripping off all the leaves of that branch.

Even if this technique is safe....
Which I personally don't agree with...

You would never be able to use this technique on a tree that is ready for defoliation...full defoliation, anyway.

Grow yourself a Sorce defoliation tool...


And find the spot right between the leaf and the petiole, where it will pop right off.
Snap!

The petiole will still send it's energy into the tree till it yellows and falls off.
At least that's what I read about ficus.
Makes sense.

One guys mind numbing is another guys meditation!
A time for thought.
Or no thought.

Sorce

 

[AlainK]

here's why @AlainK: https://peterteabonsai.wordpress.com/2012/06/12/the-trident-maple-project-and-summer-maple-work/

Oh, OK.

It goes to show you never stop learning....

 

[JudyB]

BTW, there are no stupid questions in bonsai learning, only stupid people who think they are too smart to ask questions...

 

[barrosinc]

Edit:Oops wrong thread