Safely removing large sacrifice branches (1 year timelapse)

When growing out big bonsai trunks, it is needed to remove big sacrifice branches. Now how do you remove large sacrifice branches on a bonsai without die-back? When removing big sacrifice branches from the bottom of a trunk, which results in discussions on die-back of the trunk. This technique will work well on species prone to die-back such as Japanese Maple, elms and linden trees.
0:00 The basic challenge
0:55 How to remove a sacrifice without die-back
1:20 Make initial pruning cuts on a linden pre bonsai trunk
2:19 How the trunk will heal
2:54 Branch removal from a Trident Maple pre bonsai trunk
3:58 Early summer update on big cuts
5:10 Treating half closed big cuts
6:20 End of growing season treating big cutes
7:20 One year update on big branch removal

[@Rob-jv1kr]

Thanks for taking all the time for these progressive videos. Honestly I don’t know how you keep it organized. It’s a big help understanding the craft.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Looks like a good technique!

[@JaniLaaksonen91]

Thank you for this brilliant idea! I'll definitely try this if I come across any big branches needing to be removed.

[@notionbonsai]

Interesting idea for preventing dieback! Great video Jelle!

[@natedykstra1498]

Great video, thank you for sharing. I have seen others do the second cut at an angle so removing the wedge is easier. I'm eager to try this technique myself, but I don't have any sacrifice branches that need removing yet. Cheers!

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

It is definitely a great method and one I first saw Ryan neil using at Mirai. really well explained Jelle. Thanks :)

[@6174-is-fun]

Very nice and educational videos! Thank you for sharing. I wish I had seen it earlier 😂 I chopped a very big sacrificial branch on my Ginkgo last week 🫣 I hope I'm lucky again 😊

[@PreseditaBrinkmann]

Thank you Jelle 🙏
Another great video!

[@GrowingBonsai]

My pleasure! Glad you enjoy it!

[@naturgeist]

Brilliant Video! ✨ So nice to see the Cutpaste in action ☺️ Great Technique 🫶🏼

[@frenchfries2148]

Love these long term progressions videos

[@sueb1317]

Oh this is fantastic knowledge Jelle! Can't wait to try this out - so many opportunities coming up in the next year!

[@dalespringerwilson4233]

Dang good idea wonder why nobody else thought of this ? Great work sharing it with us !!

[@givetanks]

Great info, I've been half cutting big chops recently.

[@dermo1981]

Thanks Jelle 👍

[@simonjakobsson1004]

Brilliant!

[@mcbabs7495]

Très intéressant, merci pour la vidéo!

[@abidingdude222]

Love it!

[@advityaduttkaushik1605]

This is awesome

[@GrowingBonsai]

Cool! Thank you!

[@bobbymalta73]

Thank You.

[@memberphil]

Dear Jelle,
Could you explain the reason, why you remove sacrifice branches in the middle of spring, when the tree flushes new green? In an other video you said, that it is safe to make major cuts in full summer, rather than in winter. Now I am a bit confused 😅
I am just a bit concerned about the health of my trees, trying to follow your advices😅
Thanks for your valuable content😊

[@FrostBiteBonsai]

Great advice!

[@GrowingBonsai]

Glad you think so! Give it a try?

[@FrostBiteBonsai]

@@GrowingBonsai There will definitely be a day when I will be using this information!

[@allmetaliswelcome]

Would you apply the same technique for trunk chops?

[@brucedeacon28]

👍👌🙂

[@dildobaggins8987]

Could this be used as a method to accelerate healing over the partial cut and in turn the wound that will eventually be left by removing the sacrificial? It’s a great technique to keep noted for the future

[@abydosianchulac2]

Do you mean to progressively deepen the cut over time till the whole limb is removed? May require some support for the limb in later stages, but interesting idea.

[@dildobaggins8987]

@@abydosianchulac2 something similar to that idea yes. In my mind it would surely increase healing speed but as with a lot of things in bonsai, sometimes it’s anything further from the truth 😂