A Much Needed Pruning For My ‘River Tree’ Dwarf Jade Bonsai (Portulacaria Afra)

I give a much needed prune to my ‘River Tree’ dwarf jade bonsai (Portulacaria Afra) which lives in an intriguing pot. I also discuss the ethics of bonsai.
This tree is the mother of this tree:
• Pruning My Dwarf Jade ...
These trees are also known as Portulacaria Afra, Elephant Bush, and Spekboom.
You can find a playlist for this tree and each of my other trees under the Playlist tab on my channel page below. If you enjoy the channel, please subscribe for future videos and shorts which I upload every week.
/ @coffeeandbonsaiwithtom
#bonsai
#jade
#mame
#portulacariaafra
#succulents
#pruningbonsai

[@Camren67]

I love the looks of this tree. It reminds me of the old mature Live Oak trees in the south, it just missing the moss hanging from its limbs. They are some of the most beautiful tree in the US. They have so much character in their limbs. Thanks for sharing

[@CoffeeandBonsaiwithTom]

Thanks so much and welcome to the channel!!! 🙏❤️🌲😁

[@n8tyler]

Excellent tree...How old is it? It looks as if you are working by reaching around the camera...Never a bump or nudge...Well done...Enjoyed and thanks for sharing...

[@CoffeeandBonsaiwithTom]

Thanks Tyler! I try to shoot the video so that folks can see as much as possible of the tree. I am not sure how old it is, but based on the trunk perhaps 5 years. They grow quite quickly when in large pots or garden containers.

[@dkstott29]

Love the trunk on these..mine are all smooth ..

[@CoffeeandBonsaiwithTom]

I think it just takes a long time. I also have a theory that only watering them when they are quite dry may also help to get bark in the trunk. It certainly keeps the internodes tighter.
I read that these trees can expand by as much as 15% when dry and then watered. I’m thinking that routinely putting them through that cycle helps the trunk get wrinkled looking much like a cork bark dwarf jade. Anyhow, that’s my idea.

[@user-nc8se9in8o]

I seen Nigel from bonsai zone actually scratch his trees up and letting them heal up before repeating the process. They came out looking nice, going to try it on a few of mines soon.

[@paulnguyen2425]

👌🏼