M - bifurcatiuons and trifurcations are a words used to describe how tree branches, deer/elk/caribou .... antlers, arteries, .... divide. In the picture above, on the left, every branch divides into 3 branches (trifurcations). The main branch runs through and a pair of opposite nodes produce branches off the main branch, so you have a fat main branch in the middle and alternating pairs of secondary branches growing off the main branch, each at 90* to the previous pair. This produces all trifurcations and is the natural growth habit. Eliminating 1 branch from every trifurcation changes the trifurcations to bifurcations - makes it much easier to manage your trees and keep them looking natural. If you look at trees in nature, they have fine, twiggy branching near the top, not heavy logs. Eliminating trifurcations helps (a LOT) to keep branching finer instead of heavy. Plus, it's healthier for trees in pots because it lets more light and air into the trees interior, which promotes back-budding and new branches you can prune back to to maintain the airier appearance. For growers trying for the 'bonsai look', you might as well employ some of the techniques that will allow you to achieve that goal. ;-) A slingshot is a bifurcation. If the handle of the slingshot ran through and produced a 3rd branch in the middle of the 'Y', it would be a trifurcation. Al

If it has roots and you didn't chop off some thick roots, you can pot it and start watering immediately. They will tolerate a good bit of water in an aggregate medium. I have to disagree with Josh about their drought tolerance though. I have 8 foot tall ones in the ground and I have 4 foot tall jades in the ground on a southwest facing hillside and the C.ovata definitely show signs of drought first. They both have the same exposure and they are both well established as in decades established. edit: I noticed Josh mentioned defoliation. Yes P.afra will defoliate before C.ovata in response to drought, but that just makes the plant more drought tolerant.

AmG, I just wanted to comment same as Gill - what a great plant after such a major chopping. Very compact - excellent growing in z5! Rina

If you're watering while you can still detect moisture in the soil, there's no chance you could be under-watering, unless you recently repotted and all roots are in the upper 1/3 of the soil column. Does the pot have a drain hole? If not - look there for the problem. Soil compaction, over-watering, under-watering, a high level of dissolved solids (salts) in the soil, nutritional issues - particularly a dearth of any of the immobile nutrients, a sharply/suddenly reduced light load or low light, and several other potentialities can all cause loss of foliage. It's commonly believed and suggested this plant likes to go dry between waterings. This is a myth. It does not appreciate drought stress, even in winter, and drought stress is one of the main causes of leaf abscission. I use a very fast draining mix and I water these plants exactly the same way I water all my trees - well before they go dry. One thing I would do for your plant is, lose the stake and turn the side of the plant that is sort of bare of branches toward the light. You could also prune those vertical branches back hard to a branch growing closer to horizontally, and prune off any branches growing back toward the middle of the plant. This will improve the plant's form and open it up so the inside gets more light, which will force back-budding. If you look at the top branches, you'll see the internodes are now becoming shorter due to better light, but behind the shortening internodes you'll see long internodes. You'll do no harm if you prune ALL the branches back into last summer's short internodes. This is how you keep your tree compact and full. If you habitually remove ALL lanky winter growth in May, the plant will back-bud and produce lots of tight growth. During Fall and Winter, the growth will stretch out again until next spring. Repeat the same process next May - remove all the lanky winter growth and all subsequent growth will have short internodes. Questions? Al