The Newsletter of the

I have a number of subjects to mention…..

Master visits

The first is a plea to help us house visiting masters. There is no immediate need but come fall we will have to have some volunteers. Let me know if you can help. Putting up masters in a motel is very expensive because not only do we pay for the room but unless one of you is there at meal times … Well you know. 

Mentoring

I mentioned this in the February meeting but it is worth repeating. It’s a really good idea for the society because it helps newer members easily get over some of the hurtles and the normal novice fears. If you can recall how helpless you were as a beginner you know the value of a helping hand. I am looking for someone to head this up – to find volunteers that can answer questions or, just as valuable, point to the people who do know the answers. We have excellent resources in our society that can advance the skills of us all. In the end the BSGC will be a stronger society and serve its members so much better. Who’s interested? My phone is 561 4717 and Email schrick@isoc.net.

Ramification of your maples.

I have spoken with a number of members who have had the same problem I have, namely their maples are leafing out too early this year. I put my maples in my garage hoping the relative darkness and constant lower temperature of the concrete floor will retard their growth. I think it was Doug Holley who cautioned that we should be careful to watch when the leaves really start to develop don’t leave them in the garage otherwise you will get huge leaves and long internodes. I guess I’ll be dragging my plants in and out this spring – but it’s worth it.

But back to the subject.

Bill Valvanis wrote an excellent article many years ago that explains how to do this. Craig Coussins has a similar, excellent article on the internet. The additional values beyond ramification are that the new leaves are reduced in size; you will again see the beautiful spring color display and fall colors are enhanced.

Above all the tree you want to work on has to be in excellent health. As you can imagine as you read the procedure it is stressful on the tree. Two weeks before you defoliate fertilize it. The tree should also have a well developed form already since defoliation retards growth. Any tree that shows weakness should not be defoliated because it may not bud out again. I started out mentioning the early budding this spring because most articles you read tell you the leaves should be opened and matured. Normally this happens in May or early June here in Cincinnati. I suspect this will have to be done late April or early May this year. In Cincinnati May 15 is considered to be frost free. My point is if you defoliate earlier you will have to plan to protect your trees from frost. In any event let the tree tell you when it’s best to defoliate. When we have normal springs do not attempt to defoliate later than middle of July. The leaves will not mature leaving the tree subject to winter kill.

Cut the entire leaf off at the end of the leaf stalk (Leaf petioles) next to the leaf using sharp scissors. Do not worry about the petiole it will fall off in about two weeks. You do not want to cut near the branch so injury does not occur to the buds in that area. The by word here is cut the entire leaf to avoid two problems. If partial leaves remain the tree may try to exist on what is left causing stress and preventing new leaf budding or the auxins will be formed in the existing leaves preventing new growth below it.  Perhaps contrary to what you may think after defoliation you should put the tree in full sun but water sparingly. You always have to watch for summer leaf burn so use judgment as to how much sun your trees can handle in this hot humid Cincinnati weather.

Which trees respond well to leaf cutting? Both Bill and Craig Coussins point out that some varieties handle defoliation better than others. Green leaf varieties, acer Palmatum and trident, acer buergerianum are able to take the stress. Those that do not are the "cut leaf variety. There is another technique for them but that’s another article.

Thanks to Bill and Craig for their kindness in giving me permission to use their material.

Good luck and see you next meeting!

1. International Bonsai 1979 autumn edition with permission; See Page 15 entitled Defoliating Maples

2. Craig Coussins web site www.bonsaiinformatin.co.uk/ramification.htm; With permission