Growth reaction to pruning

I have a question about pruning, if I snip off a lateral branch somewhere in the middle, what is the plant going to do? Does it shoot out more leaves from the next 2 buds? If I keep snipping or pinching off the new shoots from there, will the plant stop growing from that branch?

Some literature says it is ok to snip off part of a branch just beyond buds some says you have to trace it way back to a the divider, which is correct?

Is there a difference between yanking off new growth with your hand vs snipping?

Thanks

 

what kind of plant is it?

 

Japanese maple: atropurpureum, bloodgood, fireglow etc.

 

yes...to your questions.

don't yank, pinch...if you have to cut with tools it then that's pruning. doesn't matter as long as you don't yank.

it's also a bonsai technique to control node length.

if you pinch it off when the node bore is .5", the node will be .5"

let's pretend a maple tree is 2 dimensional.
if you only pinch top left growth will spread to top-right, bottom-left, bottom-right.
if you only pinch top right growth will spread to top-left, bottom-left, bottom-right.
you get idea.

so if you're tree is bottom heavy, pinch the top; top heavy pinch bottom.

Pinch often, pinch alot

works on any plant.

 

My understanding for pruning japanese maples is that you should never cut back on a branch .... either remove it completely or leave it alone (unless is is dead wood you are removing of course)
There is a good reference to pruning of Japanese maples on the links page of my web site if you care to have a look

 

Whiskey,
Who is one bold enough to go against an artist; then beware? I really appreciate your creation and thank you personally for sharing with us your masterpiece. I have no doubt that you are first and foremost "master of yourself" and I salute you with no reservation whatsoever. By any chance are you a Scotsman?

 

after this thread was bumped, I had a look at your website as well, nicely done! and FWIW, whats your whiskey of choice?

 

Ah now ... whisk(e)y ....
Unfortunately the Doctor decided I was drinking far too much of the stuff and I have been off it now for some years
Johnny Walker Black Label was my favourite tipple. I was also very partial to the malts ... Cragganmore, Dalwhinnie were amongst the favourites
For Irish whiskey it is hard to beat a Bushmills Black Label (Black Bush)
Ah now ... those were the days .........

 

I dont do much of it anymore either, I liked the peaty lowland types, Laphroig was one I had a few times. but, I spose that could be a neew thread unto itself.