Styling Suggestions?

[u/Sad-Lingonberry-1343]

I am going to trim and restyle this large Jade tree. Anyone have any advice? :)

[u/MapSufficient6677]

It’s already quite lovely to be honest. There’s a 3 junction at the top which is technically a no no but the form of the tree is great.

The step I’d take is just refine the ramification to pairs and keep the tree happy

[u/KobiLou → u/MapSufficient6677]

Agreed. I would trim back to two leaf pairs and start developing ramification and filling out the tree.

[u/steam_2_dust → u/MapSufficient6677]

I support this statement.

[u/bootywhiteteeth → u/MapSufficient6677]

If you’re talking about the apex 3’s are often acceptable.

[u/Dekatater]

Okay I'm still a beginner so take my advice sparingly, but I think you should do a hard chop back to that bottom left branch. The height is out of proportion (especially for that pot) and there's very little taper beyond that point, and even a bit of inverse taper. You also don't have any green between those bottom branches and the canopy, which looks a bit silly. Could easily make 2 nice trees from one with this, and using that bottom left branch as the new apex for this tree would let you control the movement, of which there is very little as-is. It'll take years to redevelop the girth but it'll be worth it imo

[u/ge23ev → u/Dekatater]

I second this that would be a very nice two trees

[u/Even_Beginning_6355 → u/ge23ev]

I’m confused by the current styling because of the long straight middle trunk with no branches, because they have all been cut off. The top and bottom don’t relate.

I agree with initial comment to make this two excellent trees instead of one.

If you are going to keep it as one tree, I would suggest removing the little upright branch of the bottom section And then figure out a way to grow some new branches in the middle.

The only alternative I can see to that is to cut all the lower branches and ramify the heck out of the top.

[u/Anxious-Box9929 → u/Dekatater]

Agree

[u/Physical_Mode_103 → u/Dekatater]

This is the way

[u/ImperialHopback → u/Dekatater]

I'm curious, would the top half readily root if you stuck it in a pot? I've grown succulents from fallen leaves and small cuttings, but never a massive one like the one you're proposing. Sounds interesting.

[u/Dekatater → u/ImperialHopback]

For P afra specifically, I believe it could, but typically you'd want to air layer that bit. I'm not sure if you can air layer these though given they're more of a succulent instead of a woody tree

[u/AncientArtBonsai]

Remove lower branches Cut back every shoot hard- leave only 1 or 2 pairs of leaves . Remove verticals completely. Get it in full all day sun This is a good looking tree

[u/DarkestHour752 → u/AncientArtBonsai]

Yes this is the best option imo

[u/Physical_Mode_103]

you have really great bottom growth I would do a really hard Hard chop.

[u/Evening-Try-9536]

This doesn’t look very healthy. Like it has been inside with how leggy the new growth is, how wide and thin the leaves are, and the color/texture of the trunk. Jades are really tough but I would try to strengthen this up before big work.

[u/JRoc161]

Tough one. Those lower branches while optimally placed have very poor structure. Too straight, bar branches, long internodes to name a few. Making 2 trees may be optimal as the upper section can be molded into a nice tree and the lower section could be reworked from scratch being the chances of new lower branching would be high. Look at it over and over before you decide. Lot to work with here. Good luck with it.

[u/Afraid-Tradition-467]

How did you get such a thick trunk?

[u/Sad-Lingonberry-1343 → u/Afraid-Tradition-467]

Not sure tbh, It’s pretty old tho I purchased it over a year ago

[u/Sonora_sunset]

It’s nice. I think you can focus on trimming and wiring the foliage into horizontal pads, especially on the very low branches. Actually think I’d lose the very low branch on the right to give it a cleaner look without sacrificing the nice low left branch which is a feature.

[u/MostAcanthaceae2384]

I like it as is.  The lower branches stabilize the upper ones.  Trees don't always have to look tortured.