| If you want to grow your own bonsai trees, you | | | | or the feel of the tree and cannot be helped. |
| will have to learn how to prune them. In this | | | | Some of these branches can be tied or wired |
| article we're going to talk about pruning branches. | | | | back into the desired growing path and, if that's |
| Another subject that you'll have to familiarize | | | | possible, that's usually the way to go. If not, cut |
| yourself with is root pruning. But we will not cover | | | | them. The typical problem branches are the ones |
| that here. | | | | that cross each other (or the trunk), the ones |
| So, let's start with the basics. Why is it so | | | | that turn sharply in the 'wrong' direction and the |
| important to prune a bonsai tree anyway? Well, | | | | ones that stick out or down or up at a strange |
| there are 3 main reasons: | | | | angle. Those are the ones that you should get rid |
| | | | of first. |
| 1. Redirecting growth - if we want the tree to | | | | Now, before you get started, there are a couple |
| grow in one direction, we can prune it on the | | | | of things that you should know. These are all |
| other side. Doing this will direct most of the tree's | | | | very important so make sure you remember |
| growth in the direction of our choosing. | | | | them. |
| 2. Remove Clutter - when growing a bonsai tree | | | | |
| we usually have a growth pattern that we are | | | | 1. Prune your tree at the right time - most of the |
| striving for. If certain branches are breaking this | | | | trees must be worked on in a specific time of the |
| pattern, they will have to go. It might be that | | | | year. So make sure it's the 'pruning season' |
| branches are growing in the wrong direction or | | | | before making your first cut. |
| that they are too close together and thus | | | | 2. Your bonsai will need some recovery time - |
| obstructing the view. One other reason that we | | | | don't go crazy and start pruning your tree every |
| would want to de-clutter our tree is balance. If | | | | day. This is the fastest way to kill it. Give it some |
| there are too many branches growing in one | | | | time to recover. The length of the recovery time |
| direction we might end up with a tree that's falling | | | | will depend on many factors such as the amount |
| over on its side. If that's what's happening, then | | | | of pruning done, the season, the type of tree, the |
| prune, prune, prune. | | | | age of tree and so on. If you're not sure how |
| 3. Encouraging certain type of growth - if we | | | | much time to give to your tree, err on the side |
| know what we're doing, we can use pruning to | | | | of caution. |
| encourage fine branching and back-budding. This | | | | 3. Root pruning - if you prune branches, but |
| kind of pruning should not be used by a beginner | | | | neglect to prune the roots as well, you might be |
| since they're more likely to hurt their tree than to | | | | up for a surprise when the tree tries to catch up |
| help it. But for an experienced bonsai master | | | | the next season. The amount of roots should |
| these fine pruning techniques, such as bud-pinching | | | | always be proportionate to the amount of leaves |
| and leaf pruning, are a must. | | | | and branches. |
| So these are the main reasons for bonsai tree | | | | 4. Keep an eye on the week spots - if the trunk |
| pruning. But even if you know these reasons it | | | | of the tree develops any week spots it may |
| could still be very difficult to decide what to prune. | | | | eventually become unable to support the weight. |
| At least at first. So which branch should stay and | | | | Leaving a branch to grow at that spot will make |
| which one should go? Well, that's a difficult | | | | the trunk stronger. Always check this before you |
| question to answer, but I'm going to give you a | | | | cut. |
| couple of pointers that should help you start in | | | | I hope these tips will help you in your bonsai |
| the right direction. | | | | pruning. Just remember, it's very easy to cut a |
| The first ones to go are the problem branches. | | | | branch off, but it's impossible to put it back on. So |
| These are the ones that are ruining the look and | | | | when in doubt, just leave it be. |