Early-spring bud pinching for mixed broadleaf trees

Using a 60–70-year-old Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum), this piece provides a careful, detailed explanation of metsumi, an important early-spring maintenance technique. It focuses on managing internode spacing—the key to creating delicate, attractive branch structure—and offers practical guidance on the correct pruning positions for new shoots, how many leaves to leave, and timing. It explains, in particular, pruning techniques down to two leaves and hand-method tips for metsumi, covering the main management points from spring through early summer. The content teaches the essential basic techniques required to form and maintain delicate branch silhouettes in bonsai.