I've had this money tree for a long time. I used to keep it indoors but moved it outside years ago. After keeping it in the garage over winter, it defoliated and had just 4 leaves on top of a one long leggy stem. So I thought I should cut the stem to encourage branching. I cut one node above these two leaves. I kept the top to try to propagate it.

Now I realize that it may still look bad if it only started branching way up there. I guess I thought it would make it bushier, but now I'm thinking it will only get new growth at the top. Should I have not cut it to begin with? And now, should I cut it lower? Will it survive that heavy of a pruning?

Hi & welcome! Yes, you can cut it lower. Those 2 leaflets aren't healthy enough to be contributing anything through photosynthesis. Then you can remove the stake too.

purpleinopp said: Hi & welcome! Yes, you can cut it lower. Those 2 leaflets aren't healthy enough to be contributing anything through photosynthesis. Then you can remove the stake too.

Thanks. How low would you recommend?

Happy to reply. That depends on what you want. More than 1 new branch could occur randomly along the trunk, but a one near the top of what is left would be expected. So trim at a height where you hope to see the new top of the tree.

Outside where the wind can blow it, the new growth should be sturdy and not need staking. When you need to bring it in, try to provide a lot of light near a window, rotate periodically to keep it even, and don't let it get too dry. Running a fan can help prevent weakness too. When I have a plant that has produced unwanted weak winter growth, I trim that off in the spring.

Ok, I cut it back about halfway. I feel pretty bad about it, haha. I would cut it lower, but it's very brown and woody below this point. So should I stop here, or would it be able to grow from the woody area if I cut it lower? I was thinking about that point another 2/3 down where it kind of curves and where a squirrel had chewed on it.

I want it to be tall again, but I'm just worried it will look weird with a single branch coming out the top.

It looks like a good size to me, short enough to be sturdy. There may or may not be other branches than one at or near the top. If it was mine, I would probably wait a while to see what it does at this point. You can always cut more later, but can't add anything back.

Have you given any fertilizer lately? If not, now would probably be a good time.

Agree - you can always whack it back again later - putting it back on is a significantly bigger challenge. The only good reason to cut it back further would be if you want a multi-stemmed specimen, which looks better if the trunks originate from points very near the soil line.

No matter what you do insofar as how far back you cut it, you should expect a lethargic response. How enthusiastically a plant responds to a pruning cut in terms of back-budding depends on A) the plant's current state of vitality/ energy reserves, and B) the plant's current ability to create it food (sugar) via the process of photosynthesis. With both factors being quite low, you're most apt to get 1 or 2 buds to be activated immediately proximal to the pruning cut. Also, it's very important to avoid over-watering, as it would be very easy to do until the plant gets back on track. It will use very little water since it has no leaves to promote transpiration. Use a little piece of wood dowel sharpened in a pencil sharpener as a 'tell'. Push it to the bottom of the pot to test for moisture, and withhold water until it comes out only slightly moist.

See the simple tool - bottom row, second from right. I use it primarily as a root pick during repotting sessions, but it is configured the same way as a 'tell'. The media I use drain so well I have no concerns about over-watering. That's a good place to be.


Al