How to prune Podocarpus macrophyllus (yew podocarpus) in the latest guide, pruning methods for yew podocarpus

The unique character of the yew podocarpus, which should be lush and vigorous green, has won the favor of most people. Besides wild yew podocarpus, many people have made yew podocarpus into bonsai, which is both beautiful and impressive. When the yew podocarpus grows to a certain period, it needs to be pruned, and pruning can make its shape even more beautiful. So how do you prune a yew podocarpus? The editor will introduce the pruning methods for yew podocarpus below.

Pruning methods for yew podocarpus

1. Shape according to the tree, apply techniques according to the material

The purpose of artistic shaping of yew podocarpus is to shape according to the tree and apply techniques according to the material, using superb artistic expression techniques to draw out the highest artistic realm from an ordinary tree shape and maximize its ornamental value. To maintain its greatest ornamental value, proper pruning is necessary.

2. Thinning pruning of yew podocarpus

For thinning pruning of yew podocarpus, branches can be cut off from the base, which allows the tree stump to have good ventilation and light transmission and to grow vigorously. During thinning pruning, cut off diseased and pest-infested branches and burn them immediately to prevent the spread of pests and diseases, and promptly cut off branches that hinder the appearance.

When two parallel branches are very close to each other, one should be cut off. Water sprouts, upright branches growing from the main branches, drooping branches, and reverse-growing 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 missing-branch position to slowly induce and fill in the branch, all can be cut off.

3. Short pruning of yew podocarpus

Short pruning of yew podocarpus is the shortening of long branches, stimulating the axillary buds below the cut to sprout and form stronger side branches, thereby promoting branching. After thinning and pruning excess branches during shaping, the retained shaping branches should be short-pruned to promote the shaping branches to sprout 2 to 3 times a year.

Short-pruning once each time buds sprout will rapidly increase the branching order of the shaping branches and can make each branch order shrink very short without elongating the branches. This can control growth, is an effective measure to maintain dwarfism, and serves the purpose of convenient shaping.

4. Renewal pruning of yew podocarpus

Renewal pruning of yew podocarpus means carrying out retrenchment pruning on perennial branches. It is a powerful measure for reducing a large tree and also serves the shaping purpose of promoting the sprouting of new branches and restoring tree vigor. For bonsai yew podocarpus with a large crown and long main branches, shaping requirements cannot be met through thinning pruning and short pruning alone.

Therefore, renewal pruning can make a large tree smaller, which is beneficial for bonsai shaping. When the plant is a tree species with strong sprouting ability, the amount of renewal pruning should be greater, which means pruning the branches and leaves clean, retaining the framework, and stimulating new branches to sprout below the cut.

Conclusion: The above are the pruning methods for yew podocarpus. For pruning yew podocarpus, everyone must be careful. Through pruning, yew podocarpus can be kept dwarf, encouraged to branch, and have dense leaves, ensuring normal growth and development, flowering, and fruiting.