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How to cloud prune

The Japanese form of topiary. - by Charlie Albone
  • 23 Jul 2021

The Japanese version of pruning is known as niwaki or “cloud pruning”. In this form, the trees are cut to resemble clouds or depict the distilled essence of the tree. Find out everything about this beautiful garden art, including how to start, pruning tips and the best species of tree to use. But have patience, because this process can take years!

WATCH: How to cloud prune with Charlie Albone

Imagine taking a wander through your garden with your head in the clouds – green clouds, in fact. The idea of pruning trees to look like clouds – or a lollipop fantasy straight from a Dr. Seuss book – has been developed by the Japanese for centuries, and cloud-pruned trees are now becoming popular in western gardens, especially if you love a contemporary look to suit your ultra modern home.

Their sculptured shapes create a stunning focal point with a single specimen, or you can compound the effect with a row of them. Whatever you decide, it will be a knockout!

This Japanese cedar has had its needle-like leaves blunted but the look is still pretty sharp!

This Japanese cedar has had its needle-like leaves blunted but the look is still pretty sharp!

How to cloud prune

Starting your cloud pruning with immature trees is easier because of access for trimming. But more mature trees have already developed their personalities, and you can prune them to suit their individual idiosyncrasies. Look for interesting branch formations – strange branching will often give the best result.

For the first prune, remove unwanted branches and growth from the trunk and remaining branches using clean, sharp secateurs or pruners, so you end up with leaf growth only at the end of each branch. Shape the remaining denser end-growth by trimming into cloud shapes.

These shapes can include:

  • Ball Soccer ball - shaped, the branches here are kept short and close together, so you need a fully crowned tree to achieve the desired effect.
  • Lots - With a concave top and flat bottom, this is ideal for trees with wide branches. It’s best done with young trees you can manipulate with ropes or stakes and tape (see Branch twisters, below).
  • Shell - Looking like a bunch of conical sun hats, the branches need to be medium to short.
It’s a box of balls – or balls of box – shaped from buxus that is allowed to grow freely from its usual trimmed hedge.

It’s a box of balls – or balls of box – shaped from buxus that is allowed to grow freely from its usual trimmed hedge.

Practical matters

Use these tips to create a tree that looks amazing in your garden:

1. With little-leafed trees, pruning ends up with a smoother finish.

small prune

Small is beautiful

2. Branches seek out sun, so consider this when training their growth.

Sun bakers branches

Sun bakers

3. Sunlight is vital – this little ball needs energy for the work it has to do!

little ball prune

Position, position

4. There’s nothing to stop you going freestyle with flowering trees.

Colour pops

Colour pops

The right trees for the task

Evergreens with small or needle-shaped leaves look more attractive pruned. Most often used are yews, pines, cypresses, orange jessamine (Murraya paniculata) and Japanese box (Buxus microphylla, below). If you’re ambitious and want flowering clouds – and who doesn’t – try camellia (C. sasanqua) for its small leaves or wisteria (above), although it won’t have leaves in winter.

Want a voluptuous look? go with a dense, rigid and compact japanese holly.

Want a voluptuous look? go with a dense, rigid and compact japanese holly.

Care for your pruned trees

  • Water your tree before you start pruning, as big cuts can be traumatic.
  • Prune in spring and autumn to keep shape.
  • Feed your tree with control-release fertiliser in spring.
  • Keep trimming growth that doesn’t form part of your clouds.
Pruning trees man

Branch twisters

Foliage clouds are fascinating enough, but you can add even more impact by bending branches to create curves and take them in the direction you want for a more dramatic effect. This is mainly done with young flexible trees. Use ropes or winch straps to tie a branch to a trunk above or below where you want the curve to be, then slowly tighten and curve the branch into your desired direction. Or tape branches to stakes to train their growth, noting this training can take some months.

Branch twisters

Branch twisters

Growing tip

You can create a twinning effect with one half of the tree reflecting the other. this is best done with young trees.

Click here for more information.

You might also like:

Topiary for beginners

How to prune wisteria

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Charlie Albone
Charlie Albone
Charlie has worked internationally and in Australia for the past 17 years, designing and building gardens that are timeless, inspiring and enjoyable to spend time in. In 2015 and 2016, he was awarded two Silver gilt medals for his own gardens at the world’s most prestigious flower show The Chelsea Flower Show.

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