I have a japanese maple (acer palmatum) with a two foot branch that has
been growing all summer. Im looking at it and thinking the base is reaching
a nice thickness for cut back next spring. the first four inches or so has
no leaves or buds. and i know they say that buds will sprout from the
cambium no matter where you cut a branch after the branch is about 2 or 3
years old. Im afraid to cut back and lose the branch and have it sprout
from the base. I did notice however that there is a thin brown band around
the branch at about a half an inch out from the trunk. Is this band a
landmark of some kind?? is this where dormant buds lie? could i cut back to
this and expect some burst? or should i cut back in steps.. ecouraging back
budding??

thanks... steve harrisburg/lancaster PA

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Probably the band you are seeing is the Terminal Bud Scar, that being the
apical bud that was dormant last winter, and began growing this past spring.

If in doubt, in early spring cut this extending branch back to the first
lateral branchlet, and see what sort of backbudding you get behind the
branchlet.

David J. Bockman, Fairfax, VA (USDA Hardiness Zone 7)
Bunabayashi Bonsai On The World Wide Web: http://www.bunabayashi.com
email:


-----Original Message-----
From: Internet Bonsai Club ]On Behalf
Of Steve Wolfinger
Sent: Tuesday, September 23, 2003 1:01 PM
To:
Subject: [IBC] pruning priciples


I have a japanese maple (acer palmatum) with a two foot branch that has
been growing all summer. Im looking at it and thinking the base
is reaching
a nice thickness for cut back next spring. the first four inches or so has
no leaves or buds. and i know they say that buds will sprout from the
cambium no matter where you cut a branch after the branch is about 2 or 3
years old. Im afraid to cut back and lose the branch and have it sprout
from the base. I did notice however that there is a thin brown band around
the branch at about a half an inch out from the trunk.

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Dale Cochoy++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++