San Diego Bonsai Club
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Back-Budding

Picture
By Charlie Mosse

Part of the dynamic process of developing bonsai is a plant’s response to pruning, branch breakage (planned or unplanned), disease, freeze damage, and even fire, as seen in the wild.  In some species this will activate dormant buds in the shaded areas and very possibly one can grow new branches.  This process is called "back-budding".  It is a response to pruning and pinching that activates dormant buds back away from the active growing areas of a plant, deeper inside the tree structure along the inside branches, crotches and in some cases the main branches and trunk of the plant. 

Do not confuse back-budding growth further back within in the plant with the growth from light pruning or pinching which makes a plant bushy by activating buds close to the active ends of the branch.  Pinching and light pruning usually will not stimulate back-budding and is used to fill in branches and foliage pads.  More aggressive pruning can activate buds further back within the tree.  

Stimulating back-budding is a way to improve your tree and can also be a saving grace for a damaged tree. It can also be used to balance the energy of the tree.  Energy balance is another interesting and essential topic to learn.  Back-budding can accomplish several important things:
  • A new branch can be grown from a back-bud that arises from an area where there was no branch. The new branch can fill in an area that will enhance the tree.
  • A new branch can be grown from an area where a branch was lost, hence the saving grace.  
  • A pad (group of small branches) can be rejuvenated further back from the end to make the pad bigger and fuller, yet shorter for styling purposes. 
  • A bonsai can be pruned severely to reduce its overall size for styling purposes.  The resulting back-budding occurs deeper inside the tree stimulating new buds which can develop into branches.  This provides opportunities to select new shoots from which to grow new branches which will be better positioned within the tree.   
  • An individual branch also can be severely pruned to reduce its size for styling purposes.  The resulting back-budding will help re-create and fill in the pad on the shortened branch.

Some varieties back-bud freely, some varieties not so freely, and some varieties do not back-bud at all.  For the plants that do back-bud, the manner in which it does back-bud can vary from species to species.  Plants that back-bud nicely are elms, maples, myrtus, myrsine, many junipers, cotoneaster, cypress species, privets and most ficus to name a few.  Japanese boxwoods are not quite as good at back-budding and pines generally do not back-bud. However, the Japanese black pine, with proper de-candling and needle removal can back-bud.  It is best to consult with someone very familiar with bonsai Japanese black pines. 

Since Japanese black pines culture can be daunting at times, below is a good video by Ryan Neil in which he talks about back-budding and other culture topics concerning Japanese black pines.

So, if you are not sure about back-budding, bring your tree(s) into the club's regular meeting on the second Sunday of the month and find out.   Be sure to double check our calendar for date changes.  Back-budding is a process that, when used properly, can easily improve your bonsai or save a damaged bonsai.  It is not a perfect process as there are exceptions.  Bring in your tree(s) and we will find one of the club’s experts to assist you and a quiet corner in which to work.

If you have any other questions, the club can assist you with all aspects of bonsai and their care.


Article updated November 22, 2014

Updated: March 7, 2023
All images © 2010-2023.
All Rights Reserved.
  • Home
  • Activities
    • Next Meeting
    • 2023 Calendar
    • 2023 Spring Show
    • Bonsai-A-Thon
    • Bonsai Show Maps
  • Education
    • About SDBC Education
    • Beginner's Classes Overview
    • Beginner's Class Schedule
    • Workshops & Skills Classes
    • Study Groups >
      • Shohin Study Group
      • All About Bonsai Study Group
      • Ficus Study Group
    • Private Lessons
  • Resources
    • Newsletter
    • Club Forms
    • Club Library
    • Vendors
    • Photos >
      • 2020 Winter Silhouettes
      • 2018 Fall Show
      • 2018 SD County Fair
      • Spring 2018 Show
      • 2018 Cal Shohin Seminar
      • GSBF Convention #40
      • 2017 Fall Show
      • 2017 Spring Show
      • 2016 Fall Show
      • 2016 Nisei Week Trip
      • 2016 Spring Show
      • 2016 Bonsai-A-Thon
      • 2016 Winter Silhouettes
      • 2015 Fall Show Photos
      • 2015 Nisei Week Trip
      • Bonsai Stolen from San Gabriel Nursery
      • 2015 Spring Show
      • 2015 Bonsai-A-Thon
      • 2014 Fall Show
      • 2014 Nisei Week Trip
      • 2014 July Bus Trip
      • 2014 Spring Show
      • 2014 Bonsai-A-Thon
      • 2014 Winter Silhouettes
      • 2013 Fall Show
      • 2013 Spring Show
    • Articles >
      • Lime Sulfur
      • Bougainvillea Bonsai
      • Soil: It's What Goes in the Pot
      • 'Lyn's Bonsai Soil Mix
      • Back-Budding
      • REBS 2014 Show
      • 2014 Boxwood Dig
      • Club History
      • Club Logo
      • First Show May 1966
    • Video >
      • 2019-2021 Videos
      • 2015-2018 Videos
      • Video
      • More Video
  • Membership
    • Membership Form
    • Membership Benefits
    • Volunteer
  • Safari Park Bonsai Pavilion
    • Overview and History
    • Bonsai Pavilion Trees
    • Stolen Bonsai
  • Looking Back
    • Time Traveler
    • Remembering... >
      • Remembering Big Dave Rochester
      • Remembering Marty Mann
      • Remembering Ko Tsushima
      • Remembering Harry Hirao
      • Remembering Bob Meyer
  • About
    • Overview of Club
    • By-Laws
    • Past Presidents
  • Contact