The first is to study the specimen awaiting to be pruned.

Cloud Pruning a Conifer: When I first moved into my house a few years cloud pruning conifer trees there was only one thing that annoyed me about the place. It was an ugly lump of gray conifer in the front yard. It was a thick mess of twigs and foliage, about 1m tall and m wide. Beneath the oute Estimated Reading Time: 3 mins. Oct 11, The cloud pruning of a tree can be broken down into 4 distinct steps.

The first is to study the specimen awaiting to be pruned. Indeed, for an effective niwaki, the existing structure of the tree or shrub must be visualized, otherwise the pruning will be a disaster. Not sure this forum will have many who are practicing cloud pruning techniques.

I have read about the techniques but have never tried it. I read a nice book on the topic years ago. Niwaki: Pruning, Training and Shaping Trees the Japanese Way by Jake Hobson. Hope you can find the information you are looking for.

Keith. Jan 20, - Cloud pruned conifers frame a bright red Nikko bridge in the Japanese garden. Image - Stock photo from GAP Gardens, garden & plant photography. Cloud pruning is a Japanese method of training trees and shrubs into shapes resembling clouds. It is known as 'Niwaki', the translation of which is 'garden tree'. The style is said to depict the distilled essence of the tree. This type of pruning does not have to be used in solely Japanese-style gardens; it can be used as a feature in gardens of many different styles.

Apr 05, Cutting the branch back as much as possible before the final cut will lower the weight load and make the work less unwieldy. Additionally, to decrease damage to the rest of the tree or shrub, make a preliminary cut on the opposite side of main cut to minimize splintering and bark bushcutting.barg: cloud pruning.