Water Shoots

Water shoots are small shoots that emerge at the base of the trunk of a tree. This is a tendency that is often referred to as “shooting on old wood”. Not all tree species produce shoots on old wood, many only develop shoots on new young growth which is mostly at the ends of branches. The ability to develop shoots on old wood is a very desirable one for bonsai growers because it means that there is a good chance that the tree will produce a branch in the “right” place eventually. It also means that one can cut back the branches to make a more compact shape, knowing that the tree will recover more easily.

The pros of water shoots

These small shoots at the base of the trunk of a tree can have some beneficial aspects, but they also can create some problems. The juncture, or the place where branches meet, or join the trunk, swells up slightly. This slight swelling can add to the width of the trunk, which is normally a very good thing. The trick is to let the water shoot develop for a limited amount of time, a couple of weeks, or perhaps a month, and then remove the shoot, leaving just the base of the join as a slight bump. Over the months and years, one will remove many of these small water shoots. After a while the wider base becomes quite noticeable, and “Hey Presto”, suddenly one’s rather ordinary tree takes on the look of an ancient bonsai.

The drawbacks of water shoots

The danger of water shoots comes from leaving them to grow for too long. Water shoots are normally situated below the first main branch of a tree. As water gets transported up the trunk from the roots, the water shoots are the first to receive it, hence the name. As the water shoots get larger they siphon off more and more water, essentially robbing the rest of the tree of its fair share. The inevitable result of this is that the tree above the water shoot, which is basically the entire tree, will slowly shrivel up and die off, while the water shoot thrives. This is clearly not a desirable situation.

The tree in these photos is an Acacia Burkei. One can clearly see the enlarged water shoots. I have left them to grow a bit too long, but the plant itself is still very healthy. It takes just a few seconds to remove the shoots, and once again the tree has a much better balance of foliage. The crown is once again noticeable and the style and shape is much improved.