winter pruning

[sean117Ply]

Well I have cut back my deciduous trees right back. But I have just read not to do this in winter, its better in spring, my trees wont die will they???
The trees I cut back hard include: english elm, chinese elm, tridant maple, and a few japanese maples. My goal is to thicken the branches and make them twigy.

[ynot]

Well I have cut back my deciduous trees right back. But I have just read not to do this in winter, its better in spring, my trees wont die will they???

I sincerely doubt it, But you may suffer some die back of the branches. It is always better to know those about those things before you do them..

The trees I cut back hard include: english elm, chinese elm, tridant maple, and a few japanese maples.

I am curious how much of a dormancy your [IE] maples get in Sydney. [I've been waiting to ask that...lol]

My goal is to thicken the branches and make them twigy.

Ok, Twiggy = Ramification. But I have a question: Do you mean you want the actual branches to be 'thicker'? {Or...Do you mean you want thicker foliage?}.
If you mean the actual branches, You have two different goals there which require different techniques. [BTW pruning works wrt ramification but is counterproductive to branch thickening: Unchecked growth is best for that]
I am not sure how much of an understanding you have of the differences so please clarify this if you would , It sounds as though you have a few trees.

Here are a few links for you to peruse about pruning:http://www.bonsai4me.com/Basics/Basics_Pruning1.html
http://www.bonsai4me.com/Basics/Basics_Pruning2.html
http://www.bonsai4me.com/AdvTech/ATtiming.htm

Those are all from this site: http://www.bonsai4me.com/Basics.html
There is much more to be learned there also.

[Though not directly related to your question] Do read through the stickies at the top of the forum and check out this thread for some inspiring bonsai.

ynot

[sean117Ply]

Well where I live in Australia it is not close to Sydney, I live in the melbourne area witch is a lot further south, the winter averages are: Minimum -2 c (28f) and a high of 6 c (43f) to 9 c (48f), so the trees recieve a reasonably cold dormancy, not every place in Australia is a hot desert lol. As for the branches, I want them to thicken up with the ends twigy with dense growth.

[ynot]

Well where I live in Australia it is not close to Sydney, I live in the melbourne area witch is a lot further south, the winter averages are: Minimum -2 c (28f) and a high of 6 c (43f) to 9 c (48f), so the trees recieve a reasonably cold dormancy, As for the branches, I want them to thicken up with the ends twigy with dense growth.

Appreciate the temps [I speak C but good on ya ]

Pruning the branches you want to thicken is a bit of a hiccup. [From the perspective that the removed buds would have sprouted extra foliage that would have helped to thicken the branches.... It will just take a bit more time is all.]
Those links I posted previously should be very helpful wrt ramification when the time comes.

As I stated before, It is unchecked growth that thickens up branches & after they have reached the diameter you wish you then work on ramification.

not every place in Australia is a hot desert lol.

:? uh..Yeah, I've been there, I know that.

[It was eight weeks of your summer: GOR Roadtrip -The Grampians, All throughout the Wimmera-out to Natimuk [Mt Arapiles] and Horsham {I know folks there & am fairly familiar with Victoria.} then over to Melbourne & fly up to Sydney. I didn't get any of the OZ winter...

Which is why I asked, I didn't assume it was desert. [I am not that type of yank mate... Not by far ;) ]

-ynot

[sean117Ply]

Wow you are familia with victoria. So where are you from?

[ynot]

Wow you are familia with victoria. So where are you from?

...Yep.

Near Chicago in the states, But I have been around a fair bit .

ynot

[sean117Ply]

I hope to travel one day