Most spruce styling is done in fall (Nov in the Bay Area) - but if you're doing major bending protect from freezing temps until spring. Make sure you have some foliage left on the branch - they back-bud well, but not absent foliage on a branch.
I have once cut the whole new growth once it had reached its final length and it produced second flush and a lot of backbudding. Also the tree doesn't have the ugly cut sites which pinching produces.
Hey! Really loving your content :) I collected a tiny spruce in austria a few years ago and have been training it as a shohin. I was wondering whether pruning in fall would also result in budback? I skipped pruning entirely this year, wanting to try a late prune. I have been experimenting with the proper timing of the pruning a bit over the past few years and can‘t seem to get it right… Pinching it always seemed drastic but it might be the right thing to do in the areas that need more ramification.. I‘ll give it a shot next year, but I would still love to hear your opinion on the fall prune! Keep up the great content
Fall pruning and wiring is standard procedure for spruce in Japan, so I think you'll be fine! The pinching process is what creates more buds, but most spruce back bud a lot, so I wouldn't be too concerned.
This species of spruce reacts well to being cut back and pinched. Some others do not. But yes, regular fall cutback, wiring and spring pinching are the keys to keeping it contained.
The right time to do it is when the tips are elongating, but before there is much wood. This applies to most spruce, although some need it more than others. Ezo and Engelmann are so compact that it's not as relevant. On P. abies this encourages back-budding - but you need to ensure branches are getting light also for the buds to thrive. Don't expect a strong reaction - it's a long game.
Not really. I would perhaps be selectively pinching while using elongation to create structure. Generally, trees in development are not pinched, but selectively pinching can hold some areas to remain compact while the branches and trunk bulk up. Good luck!
@@Bonsaify thanks. My guess was to let them grow and maybe cut back excess growth later (mid summer), or if the top part is shading the lower branches.
This is a great tree
Love the tree. Like how it’s being trained. Good info on Spruce care.
When is the best time to do a thick branch cuttin ? :/ luv the vid ^.^
Most spruce styling is done in fall (Nov in the Bay Area) - but if you're doing major bending protect from freezing temps until spring. Make sure you have some foliage left on the branch - they back-bud well, but not absent foliage on a branch.
Awesome tree
I have once cut the whole new growth once it had reached its final length and it produced second flush and a lot of backbudding. Also the tree doesn't have the ugly cut sites which pinching produces.
Hey! Really loving your content :)
I collected a tiny spruce in austria a few years ago and have been training it as a shohin. I was wondering whether pruning in fall would also result in budback? I skipped pruning entirely this year, wanting to try a late prune.
I have been experimenting with the proper timing of the pruning a bit over the past few years and can‘t seem to get it right… Pinching it always seemed drastic but it might be the right thing to do in the areas that need more ramification..
I‘ll give it a shot next year, but I would still love to hear your opinion on the fall prune!
Keep up the great content
Fall pruning and wiring is standard procedure for spruce in Japan, so I think you'll be fine! The pinching process is what creates more buds, but most spruce back bud a lot, so I wouldn't be too concerned.
Thanks for the close ups in this video. Do you know if this is the same exact pinching method used for Colorado blue spruce. I just acquired one.
Yeah, spruce pinching is about the same across the genus. Do keep in mind that pinching should only be applied to healthy trees.
How do you keep it small like that all the time? Do you cutting the top of the branches?
This species of spruce reacts well to being cut back and pinched. Some others do not. But yes, regular fall cutback, wiring and spring pinching are the keys to keeping it contained.
So the picea abies pusch reacts well to this? Thats what i just bought. Also when is the time to do this? Its mid spring here
Also hardy zone 6b if that helps
The right time to do it is when the tips are elongating, but before there is much wood. This applies to most spruce, although some need it more than others. Ezo and Engelmann are so compact that it's not as relevant. On P. abies this encourages back-budding - but you need to ensure branches are getting light also for the buds to thrive. Don't expect a strong reaction - it's a long game.
@Bonsaify hmmm
Might as well wait then. It's my first time working with spruce and it's still relatively young. Thanks for the info
Thanks
Do you have a video of this tree when it was potted?
Would you pinch the same way in Tree in development?
Not really. I would perhaps be selectively pinching while using elongation to create structure. Generally, trees in development are not pinched, but selectively pinching can hold some areas to remain compact while the branches and trunk bulk up. Good luck!
@@Bonsaify thanks. My guess was to let them grow and maybe cut back excess growth later (mid summer), or if the top part is shading the lower branches.