Dwarf Trees

The term dwarf tree is cute but is actually not correct at all since there are not very many naturally, or true, dwarf trees. A true dwarf tree, such as the true dwarf citrus, is naturally small and will not become any larger than it is even if it is given free space and lots of fertilizer. Instead the dwarf trees most people own are so called semi-dwarf trees and they are kept small through sheer work. Some dwarf trees is quite comfortable being small and does not need a lot of work but there are others that need constant surveillance and pruning so it does not boom in growth.

The art of keeping a semi-dwarf tree actually derives from the well known Japanese art Bonsai. Tray gardening, as Bonsai means, is more of a philosophy or an attitude then simply a skill. The goal with bonsai is that the dwarf tree, the bonsai, is supposed to combine three good forces known as shin-zen-bi (truth, essence and beauty). The bonsai is not only a tree but a symbol for your devotion for something you believe to be important, a celebration to the simple yet beautiful things in life. Luckily you won’t need to care about these things since the modern art of having a dwarf tree is simply to keep it alive. But it can help to imagine the tree to be your lives work, the dwarf tree will not be complete until it is perfected.

The problem with having a dwarf tree is that you actually are working against Mother Nature herself. You are practically forcing the tree to remain small against all reason and rules. So how is that possible, growing a semi-dwarf tree out of a tree that potentially can become several tens of feet high, I’ll tell you how. The dwarf tree needs to be planted in a small pot and the soil needs to be packed pretty hard. Although it more or less will remove drainage totally it will also make it more difficult for the roots spread. In the soil there should be some really slow fertilizer that can sustain the dwarf trees minimum demand of nutrient for a long time. The dwarf tree should also be re-potted every other year and the roots should be pruned. The dwarf tree itself should be constantly pruned so that the tree doesn’t outgrow its nutrient supply. The watering itself is also a problem since you never should allow your dwarf tree to dry out, but you still won’t want to risk over watering it. The best should be to ask what is required when you buy your dwarf tree or at your local garden store. They might know what you need to think about and have some tips. Otherwise it is all up to you.