The more I look to educate and document, the more I’m resolved in the fact that there are very little absolutes in the world of bonsai. There may only be a few but we’ll leave that discussion for another time.

Today’s action saw the partial removal of leaves from the exterior branches in the top third of the tree’s canopy. What you see is the result of the work having been completed. You may notice the top canopy still looking fairly dense but those are all the interior shoots which have been left untouched. Today’s work was not to force the tree into a response, but simply guide it into summer according to our desired outcome.

Some of my considerations in no particular order for performing this action.

1. Health and past history.
2. Objectives/ goals.
3. Timing.
4. Species specific.

I know this tree is in its 3rd growing season since being potted in this ceramic and it will be repotted next season. I expect it to be less vigorous this season as a result.

My goals are still split between refinement and development. The bottom branches are still very much in development where thickening and elongation is required. Thus they are kept strong with no leaf removal. The top third is in refinement with lots of branching and good interior buds that have started to elongate and must be maintained in good health to be allowed to reach the exterior and contribute to the overall silhouette.

Past history of applying this technique and when to do it in my climate reveals that I can’t partially defoliate too aggressively on the stronger areas and should perform it in early November rather than later, so as to give the tree time to respond adequately. The leaves should have hardened off and you are starting to see branches elongating.

At the base of new shoots, the Liquid Amber generally has a whirl of leaves and in most cases the largest leaves at the base. This gives us the opportunity to remove a lot of mass impeding sunlight however in contrast not tending to this, the tree can become quite dense although in reality only attached to little branching that becomes coarse.

This simple act of removing leaves, simply adjusts the balance of the tree and secondly allows light into the interior to continue to promote those interior shoots to grow well.

What if I didn’t perform this action?

1. The interior branching would most likely die in the upper canopy or at very least get very weak.
2. The upper canopy would only get stronger and the lower branches weaker.

In summary the tree would become imbalanced in relation to our goals.