Which tree species in stump bonsai are suitable for leaf pruning?

Q: Which tree species in stump bonsai can have their leaves pruned, and what should be noted?

A: There are many bonsai tree species suitable for leaf pruning, including Chinese elm (Ulmus parvifolia), Japanese bush cherry (Sageretia thea), ginkgo, Chinese wolfberry (Lycium chinense), red maple, pomegranate, Chinese hackberry (Celtis sinensis), banyan (Ficus microcarpa), and Chinese chaste tree (Vitex negundo), etc.

The main benefits of leaf pruning on stumps are:

1. It can make the leaves smaller, which helps display the artistic effect of bonsai in shrinking a dragon into an inch. For example, after leaf pruning on Chinese chaste tree, the newly sprouted leaves can shrink to 1/5 the size of the original leaves; when the banyan has all its leaves and buds removed in early summer, under controlled water and sufficient sunlight, the new leaves can grow thick and small.

2. It can make the stump display fascinating colors several times a year. The new leaves of stumps often have a distinctive beauty of color, such as the vivid green of new leaves on banyan and elm; the bright red tenderness of new leaves on maple and pomegranate, etc.

3. It can stimulate the sprouting and growth of axillary buds, which helps the formation of branches.

4. It can promote flowering and fruiting in some tree species. For example, after leaf pruning on Chinese wolfberry in early autumn, 4 or 5 days later, tender branches and flower buds will grow at the same time, and by late autumn the branches will be covered with abundant red berries.

When pruning leaves on stumps, note the following:

1. Half a month before leaf pruning, apply a nitrogen fertilizer once to create favorable conditions for leaf sprouting.

2. Use scissors for leaf pruning, remove the leaf blades while leaving part of the petiole, and do not damage the axillary buds, so as not to affect sprouting.

3. Although leaf pruning has many benefits, because leaf pruning occurs during the period of vigorous tree growth, it often has a negative impact on growth. Therefore, stump trees with robust growth should be selected; stumps with weak growth are not suitable for leaf pruning. At the same time, the number of leaf prunings should not be too many; for example, elm and pomegranate can only be pruned 2 or 3 times a year.