Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Prune for maintenance
• Method 2 of 3: Prune for structure and style
• Method 3 of 3: Take care of your bonsai after pruning
• Tips

A bonsai tree must be pruned regularly to maintain the desired size and shape. There are 2 types of pruning: maintenance pruning keeps the tree small and promotes new growth, and pruning for structure or style shapes the tree and improves aesthetics. Regardless of which bonsai you have and whether you want to prune for maintenance or for style, all you need is a critical eye and a pair of bonsai shears to get started.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Prune for maintenance

1. Remove all weeds, dead wood and leaves. Watch out for weeds growing in the bonsai's pot and for dead twigs or leaves on the tree itself. Carefully pull out the weeds, taking care not to damage the roots of the bonsai. Remove dead twigs or leaves from the tree.
2. Prune crossed and broken branches. Crossed branches rub against each other and can cause wounds that allow pests to get into the wood. Broken branches or twigs must be removed so that the tree can focus all its energy on new growth. Use bonsai shears to cut crossed and broken branches just above their point of attachment to the trunk.
3. Cut off twigs so that they only have 3-4 nodes. The nodes are the places where leaves grow from. Once a twig has 6-8 nodes you have to cut it off until only 3-4 nodes remain. Make a clean cut just above the remaining nodes. This ensures that the tree does not grow too large and also promotes new growth.
4. Prune a lot in the spring and summer. While bonsai trees can be pruned year-round, most pruning work should be done when the tree is actively growing during the spring and summer. Depending on your location, this could be between March and September.

Method 2 of 3: Prune for structure and style

1. Prune between November and February for structure and style. To ensure that you don't damage the tree too much or hold back growth, only prune for structure and style when the tree is in a dormant period. Usually this is during the winter months or between November and February.
2. Cut back the large branches. Large branches that stick out may be removed, as well as branches with unnatural twists and turns or branches that don't look pretty. Cut back each branch just above a node so that it enhances the appearance of the tree. Use loppers to make a clean cut.
3. Thin out the crown and canopy. Cut back the branches or twigs at the top of the tree to allow light to filter through the canopy to reach the lower branches and to reduce the canopy to the desired size. Use loppers to cut overgrown branches and shoots so that the canopy is rounded and nicely balanced.
4. Remove shoots from the tree. Shoots are small offshoots that can grow from the base of the trunk or on the branches of the tree. These can be removed with your fingers to maintain the balance and aesthetics of the tree. Remove any shoots you think will detract from the bonsai's overall appeal.
5. Tighten the buds off conifers. To get a more compact shape, you can squeeze entire needles with your fingers where they are too big or start to overgrow. Turn the needles to remove it from the twigs. Leave 3 needles on each branch, but be free to remove the rest. This will provide more branches on the tree.
6. Defoliate deciduous trees after new growth has begun. Defoliating gets rid of old, long leaves and promotes the growth of smaller and more aesthetically pleasing leaves. Cut off each leaf at the base, leaving only the stem. New smaller leaves will grow in place. This is a risky technique, because if you defoliate during the wrong time of the year, the tree may not recover.

Method 3 of 3: Take care of your bonsai after pruning

1. Cover the incisions with wound paste. Apply bonsai wound paste to the wounds to prevent sap from leaking and to promote wound healing. Squeeze a small amount of cream onto a finger (in a glove) and spread a thin layer on each incision.
   • Bonsai wound paste can be found at garden centers or online.
2. Water the bonsai immediately after pruning. It is important to give the bonsai a lot of water after pruning to stimulate new growth. Make sure to completely saturate the soil when you first water the tree after pruning.
3. Water the tree a little daily. You should only give a lot of water immediately after pruning. After that, a little water a day is sufficient. Try to keep the soil moist, but not soggy.Over-saturated soil can lead to root rot, so be careful not to overwater the tree.
4. Give a 7-7-7 fertilizer every two weeks while the tree is actively growing. Choose a fertilizer specially formulated for bonsai trees, such as a 7-7-7 fertilizer. Use a liquid fertilizer for small bonsai and a granular fertilizer for large bonsai. Dilute the fertilizer to half strength or use as much as directed on the label.

Tips

• Using pruning equipment specifically for bonsai trees - such as hollow blades and Japanese saws - will make pruning the bonsai easier.
• Try to do some small-scale pruning manually.
• Disinfect your pruning equipment before and after use to prevent pests and diseases from spreading.
• Monitor your bonsai for diseases and pests as you prune. If you see an infected branch, prune or remove it.