What are the taboos for pruning bonsai branches?

Bonsai trees, in order to make the tree posture graceful, some branches with improper growth positions, namely the so-called taboo branches, are pruned to make the layers distinct and achieve one branch, one scenery.

(1) Whorled branches. Whorled branches refer to branches that grow out from the same point on the trunk in all directions, like the shape of a wheel. For the treatment of whorled branches, depending on the needs of tree styling, keep l branch, at most 2 branches, and cut off the remaining branches.

(2) Opposite branches. Opposite branches grow on both sides of one part of the trunk, like a door bolt inserted into the trunk. The treatment of opposite branches also depends on the needs of styling: keep 1 branch and cut off one branch.

(3) Axillary branches. Axillary branches refer to branches that grow from the concave part of a branch. Axillary branches often block the position of the branching point, or fill the space of a curved part, causing visual clutter, so they can be cut off.

(4) Bent-point branches. Bent-point branches grow on the convex point of a curved branch, destroying the graceful curve of the branch. In general, they can be retained. If the beautiful arc of the branch is to be emphasized, they must be cut off.

(5) Top-heart branches. Top-heart branches refer to branches of the tree that face the viewer directly. If they are to be retained as front branches, they should be wired to turn and extend to the left or right, or the tree should be rotated in the pot before planting so that the branch does not point toward the viewer.

(6) Close-body branches. Close-body branches refer to branches that grow close to the trunk, causing division of the trunk and destroying the beauty of smoothness. Wiring can change their spatial relationship with the trunk; otherwise they must be cut off.

(7) Parallel branches. Parallel branches refer to branches on two points on the same side of the trunk with the same growth direction. The upper branch of parallel branches shades the lower branch from light and gives a feeling of repetition without variation. According to the needs of styling, one of the two branches can be cut off and 1 retained; or the two branches can be wired out of alignment to add variation to the branch styling.

(8) Reverse branches. Reverse branches refer to individual branches in a branch group whose direction of growth is opposite: those that should grow to the left instead lean to the right, and those that should grow upward instead lean downward. They can be treated by wiring or pruning.

(9) Big-belly branches. Big-belly branches refer to branches where the transition from thick to thin suddenly shows swelling, so they appear extremely inharmonious. The cause of big-belly branches is a foreign object inside the branch. For example, if the metal wire used for wiring sinks into the branch, this kind of branch may form. In this case, pruning is preferable. If for styling reasons pruning is absolutely impossible, then the foreign object should be removed, the raised part gouged out, the bark wound bandaged well, and the tree allowed to grow and heal.