How to prune a Buddhist pine (yew podocarpus) bonsai? A detailed guide to pruning methods

Buddhist pine, also known as yew podocarpus and other names, is an evergreen coniferous tree of the genus Podocarpus in the family Podocarpaceae. Because of its extremely high ornamental value, it is often grown as a potted plant for viewing. So what are the pruning methods for a Buddhist pine bonsai?

Pruning methods for a Buddhist pine bonsai

1. Thinning pruning method for Buddhist pine

Thinning pruning of Buddhist pine means cutting branches off from the base. Thinning pruning allows the stump to have good ventilation and light penetration, concentrates the nutrient supply, and promotes vigorous growth. Thinning pruning of young trees early on can help them develop and grow normally. When shaping, thinning pruning can allow the retained structural branches to receive sufficient nutrients and speed up the formation of the shape. For a formed stump bonsai, thinning pruning can play a role in balancing nutrients, keeping it old but not declining. When thinning, cut off diseased and pest-infested branches and burn them immediately to prevent the spread of diseases and pests, and promptly cut off branches that detract from the appearance. Generally, when two parallel branches are very close to each other, one should be cut off; for stacked branches and opposite branches, one of each should be cut off; for whorled branches, only one should be retained and all the rest cut off; water sprouts, and upright branches, drooping branches, and reverse branches growing from the main branches should all be cut off. For forked branches and crossing branches, one fork should be cut off. For small branches sprouting on tree species with strong sprouting ability, except for leaving one branch at a position where a branch is missing to slowly induce a replacement branch, all should be cut off early to avoid consuming nutrients and affecting tree vigor.

2. Pruning methods for a Buddhist pine bonsai

Cutting: Taking advantage of the Buddhist pine's tolerance for pruning and its small leaf shape, various shapes can be created, such as spherical, conical, multi-layered spherical, and so on; simply prune according to the design drawn up in advance. For example, when pruning a three-layered spherical shape, first choose a sapling with an obvious trunk and a relatively good upright form. The upper, middle, and lower spheres should preferably increase in size gradually, so as to seek coordinated proportions and better ornamental value. Generally, it is suitable to prune when new shoots have grown 20-30 cm, and multiple prunings are needed to make each layer of spheres round, full, and compact.

Tying: For shaping by tying, sturdy bamboo sticks and tough hemp rope can be used. Tie the bamboo sticks and branches tightly and securely with hemp rope, then fix one end of the bamboo sticks to the main trunk, so that by adjusting the direction of the bamboo sticks, the branches grow in a specific direction according to the shaper's intention, achieving the purpose of shaping.

Pressing: Shaping by pressing mainly uses the method of bending and tilting the main trunk, so that the tree body presents on an inclined plane an artistic beauty completely different from that of an upright plane.

Because the branches of the Buddhist pine resemble human arms, and the leaves clustered into hemispherical shapes grow at the tops of the branches like human palms, combined with the bent tree body, it is just like a greeter bending at the waist and arms to welcome guests, very vivid and lifelike.