| With the growing popularity of keeping bonsai and | | | | while larger trees can do just fine with pinching |
| perfecting its art form over the past decade, | | | | only once a week. |
| many people may own or want to own a bonsai. | | | | Bonsai Tree Pruning Tools |
| Many people see beautiful pictures of bonsai that | | | | There are quite a few tools that master bonsai |
| have been shaped and pruned into works of art. | | | | artists use to refine their trees. However, for the |
| They themselves want to have a tree as | | | | beginner only a few are required to make your |
| magnificent in the photos so they buy a bonsai | | | | life easier. |
| tree only to find out it takes special care. | | | | For most of those just getting into bonsai 2 tools |
| Pruning Your Tree The Right Way | | | | are recommended when you start out. The |
| When it comes to caring for your tree and | | | | concave pruner and the bud scissors. |
| keeping it attractive, having the right knowledge in | | | | Concave Pruner - The concave pruners unique |
| how to correctly prune and maintain its | | | | shape and design allow you to cut the branches in |
| appearance can make all the difference. While | | | | a way that promotes proper healing of the |
| some types of bonsai require more or less care | | | | wound. |
| there are some general guidelines that you can | | | | Bud Scissors - The bud scissors are useful for |
| follow for all species. | | | | trimming leaves, branches and buds. It's design |
| - Make sure to use flush cuts rather than | | | | and shape allow you to efficiently and safely |
| concave when removing twigs and branches | | | | refine your tree without causing damage to |
| - Species such as the Jade Bonsai don't require | | | | adjacent areas. |
| sealing when cut while most others do | | | | As you grow your collection you are going to |
| - Proper drainage of the soil is essential before | | | | require more tools in order to fully develop and |
| removing large branches | | | | maintain your bonsai. |
| Refining Your Bonsai Tree | | | | Wire Cutters - Essential for cutting the wire that |
| Refining is the art of shaping the bonsai into the | | | | is used to shape and refine the bonsai. Their small |
| form that you want it to grow in. This is what | | | | short blades safely remove wire that is already |
| the bonsai is famous for because of it's ability to | | | | up against the bark and branches without harming |
| grow into different shapes and forms. | | | | the tree. |
| Removing the terminal bud is one of the best | | | | Root Hooks - Most people don't realize that they |
| ways to stop a branches growth along with | | | | also need to maintain the roots of the bonsai to |
| pinching buds and branches in key areas. | | | | keep it healthy. Root hooks allows for easy |
| Aluminum wire is the most common method used | | | | removal of tangled roots and soil. |
| to refine bonsai because of it's flexibility while still | | | | Knob Cutter - While not always needed the knob |
| remaining strong. Aluminum wiring can be found at | | | | cutter is used to remove protruding stubs. It can |
| your local garden shop or hardware store and is | | | | also be used to efficiently shape and contour the |
| relatively cheap. Smaller bonsai can be refined with | | | | branch and trunk and while quickly removing |
| wire down to 1mm thick while continuously | | | | unwanted wood. |
| increasing the thickness of the wire as the tree | | | | It is said that caring for a bonsai can be a great |
| goes. | | | | stress reliever. People have been perfecting the |
| During the growth season a bonsai tree can grow | | | | art form for hundreds of years as tools and |
| quite quickly. Constant pruning and maintenance is | | | | information is passed from generation to |
| required to keep things in order. During it's smaller | | | | generation. |
| phases, bonsai may require pinching twice a week | | | | |