Cherry Blossom Drastic Cuts - Pruning for future Bonsai

Cherry Blossom Drastic Cuts

I started recording and didn't know where the day would take me. I've often looked at this tree knowing that it really wasn’t looking the way I thought it should, but not knowing what I needed to do.

I started by pruning it back almost to the trunk and when I got there I could see that I needed to make some much bigger changes to the structure.

I thought about leaving out the front end of this video because a lot of the pruning I did was pointless by the end. But I think it’s important to see some of the thought process. I really had to clear away the mess and get down to the structure so that I could see clearly what needed to be done.

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I recently found the label and can finally say that this is a Yoshino Cherry - Prunus x yedoensis 'Akebono' ... Actually I take it back; I have no idea how to say "yedoensis".

This little Yoshino is an air layer from a much larger tree in my backyard. I removed the air layer from the main tree 2 years ago. I had a look at the roots this spring, but regretfully did not repot it properly. Assuming that it survives the pruning in this video, I plan to pull it out of it's pot next spring and remove the stump that is still below the surface. I'm considering growing it in the ground for a year or two, but I haven't decided yet.

Growing a Bonsai in the ground can help thicken the trunk and heal wounds faster. But I need to find a good spot for it.