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Defoliating a 20 year old beech
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Author:  William Greenfinger [ 21 May 2012, 15:08 ]
Post subject:  Defoliating a 20 year old beech
Attachment:
BEECH 2.jpg

Hi All

I fear my lovely beech tree has simply had too much rain
Due to the unseasonal cold and damp, the buds were very late in coming through but have now unfurled into big leaves - much bigger than last season; nearly twice the size
(please see the attached photos taken yesterday)
In order to reduce their 'frond' like size, would the correct course of action be to wait until they harden and then defoliate the tree in early June ? providing we have some warmth ?)
If so, please advise how and how much defoliation I should do
With grateful thanks
Bill
Author:  corin [ 21 May 2012, 16:16 ]
Post subject:  Re: Defoliating a 20 year old beech
NO

I wouldnt defoliate a beech, they tend not to have enough pushes of growth to re- bud

All I would advise is that you could selectively remove a percentage (say 10-15%) of larger leaves to make it look a bit tidier
Author:  AlainK [ 21 May 2012, 16:54 ]
Post subject:  Re: Defoliating a 20 year old beech
I've done it several times, with no problem at all.

A well-know German bonsai master wrote that he defoliates his twice, and sometimes even three times during the same season. I wouldn't dare to do that, but once is OK -at least with mine.
Author:  Gwen Potter [ 21 May 2012, 17:31 ]
Post subject:  Re: Defoliating a 20 year old beech
That well-known Germain bonsai master seems to live in a different climate to ours. :061haha:
Author:  John Farnan [ 21 May 2012, 17:36 ]
Post subject:  Re: Defoliating a 20 year old beech
Deffo not 100% defoliation of beech in this climate
i reduce thats all during the season
Author:  MKonig [ 21 May 2012, 19:43 ]
Post subject:  Re: Defoliating a 20 year old beech
Treebeard wrote:
I've done it before but the new growth was very random. some tiny, inch long leaves and some monsters, 4 or 5 inches long. Some of them also came out all twisted and curled. I would not do it again.


Same here :smallthumb: Only did it the once and ended up with a tree full of monster leaves. :roll:
Author:  Tree Assassin [ 21 May 2012, 20:06 ]
Post subject:  Re: Defoliating a 20 year old beech
It never ceases to amaze me how many bonsai trees drink alcohol &/or smoke... :200unsure:
Author:  arihato [ 21 May 2012, 20:19 ]
Post subject:  Re: Defoliating a 20 year old beech
I have done it, wouldn't do it again.
But I read an article some weeks ago in an old Bonsai Today about partially defoliating Beech. I have to get back to you on that one though, it is not clear in my mind any more (old age). Just have to browse trough 18 years of BT.
Author:  Delboy [ 22 May 2012, 09:03 ]
Post subject:  Re: Defoliating a 20 year old beech
Tree Assassin wrote:
It never ceases to amaze me how many bonsai trees drink alcohol &/or smoke... :200unsure:

I caught my large Elm raiding the fridge yesterday, 2 cans of Stella missing :07hysterical:
Author:  Molly [ 22 May 2012, 10:46 ]
Post subject:  Re: Defoliating a 20 year old beech
corin wrote:
NO

I wouldnt defoliate a beech, they tend not to have enough pushes of growth to re- bud

All I would advise is that you could selectively remove a percentage (say 10-15%) of larger leaves to make it look a bit tidier



The best advice you'll get :smallthumb: , leaf size only come's down with ramification of the root's and branch's, defoliating beech will only weaken the tree and possibly loss of branch's, leaf size on any tree only come's with time, the longer the tree is worked the smaller they will get. In the final stage's carefull feeding and watering can help to keep them small, but every couple of year's you have to let the tree have a season of free growth to maintain vigour.
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