How to prune chinese hackberry

Late winter while dormant for structural cuts; summer pinching throughout the growing season. Cut unwanted branches back to a lateral or trunk with concave cutters to promote flush healing. Pinch back new shoots to one or two leaf pairs to encourage dense branching and reduce leaf size.

Structural pruning annually; growth pinching monthly during spring and summer. Chinese Hackberry is a vigorous deciduous tree that takes pruning well, making it popular for bonsai. Remove crossing, weak, or inward-growing branches to open the canopy. In bonsai practice, pinch extending shoots throughout the growing season to build fine ramification. Structural pruning is best done when dormant.

Cut unwanted branches back to a lateral or trunk with concave cutters to promote flush healing. Pinch back new shoots to one or two leaf pairs to encourage dense branching and reduce leaf size.