Pruning is more than simply cutting branches. It’s an entire art form unto itself. To truly master the art of bonsai you must learn to prune your tree. This takes practice, thought, and care. Through pruning you can design and train your bonsai tree, imparting desired characteristics.
This can be the difference between a typical tree and an exemplar of beauty.
Why Should You Prune Bonsai Trees?
There are two main factors that make pruning important. The first is the health of your bonsai tree. It’s important for aesthetics. Caring for a bonsai tree is a form of art, and may consider it to be meditation. Keeping this in mind it is important that you create a look that holds beauty, to you the beholder.
Before you begin pruning you should think about how you would like your bonsai tree to look, both now and in the future. This will determine the parts you choose to prune as the aim is to try to maintain the design over the years.
When it comes to bonsai there are two main types of pruning. First, there is structural pruning, then there is maintenance pruning.
Structural Pruning Bonsai Trees
Structural pruning is most commonly practiced on young bonsai trees, in order to train them into the form that you would like it to take as it grows. This type of pruning is more intense as you are often removing some of the primary branches. Throughout this process, you should keep in mind your aesthetic desires for your bonsai and creating stability for it.
When selecting which branches to remove, first consider the following: It is best to remove branches growing from the bottom of your bonsai trunk. This is better for the health of your bonsai as these branches deplete your bonsai’s nutrients quickly. Also for the health of your bonsai, it is best to remove weak or unhealthy-looking branches. Most enthusiasts will usually remove branches that cross the tree and branches growing straight up or straight down as well as branches crossing other branches. These are not usually considered aesthetically pleasing. Your cuts should be diagonal. Diagonal cuts are more natural-looking and once healed will be less conspicuous.
It is Japanese tradition to remove any branch growing at a forward angle, from what you consider the front of your tree. The reason being that pointing is extremely rude and not in keeping with the impeccable manners of the traditional Japanese person.
After removing branches, you must remember to cover all the wounds with a suitable healing paste. This will help it heal in a more attractive way and stop excessive sap loss. Sap loss is detrimental to your bonsai tree.
Your bonsai will need some time to recover after structural pruning. Picking the correct time of year for structural pruning is important to its recovery. For most types of bonsai, I would recommend pruning in spring or Autumn.
Maintenance Pruning Bonsai Trees
Maintenance pruning is all about keeping the design of your bonsai tree and distributing the foliage in a healthy way. It also includes twig pruning, leaf pruning, and pinching. Trees are naturally heavier in foliage at the top, so keep the top of your tree cleanly pruned. This will allow the rest of the tree to receive more air and light and grow healthily. If you prune away disproportionately large leaves, your bonsai will be forced to replace them with smaller more proportionate ones.
All deciduous bonsai will require leaf pruning. A good tip for beginners, when leaf pruning, is to identify leaves growing in pairs and prune one from each of the pairs.
Defoliation Technique for Deciduous Bonsai Trees
Many bonsai enthusiasts will completely remove the leaves from their bonsai in the summer. This is called defoliation. The goal of this technique is to encourage the growth of new smaller leaves. Make sure not to damage the leaf stem. You will want to leave this intact. This type of pruning is suitable for most deciduous trees, assuming they are healthy and have not recently been repotted. Some species that are known to cope well with this technique are the Ficus, Oak, and Elm. For beginners defoliating only a third of the tree at one time can be a good way to start.
Bud Pinching Technique for Pine and Conifer Bonsai Trees
Some conifers and all pines will require bud pinching as opposed to leaf pruning. This is a much less invasive approach. Once you’ve chosen which needles or leaves you to prune, pinch the area between your thumb and forefinger, then twist. Over time you will learn to do this with speed and skill. Certain species of coniferous bonsai may require both leaf pruning and pinching
Maintenance pruning can be done from around mid-March to September. You should do this kind of pruning often. Regular maintenance pruning is an important part of caring for your bonsai. It is considered an expression of art by enthusiasts all over the world.
How to Prune a Bonsai Tree
Don’t just jump right in with shears. There are 6 main steps to pruning your bonsai tree.
6 Steps To Pruning Your Bonsai
Step 1 – Have Your Tools Ready
You will need shears and a concave cutter. Shears come in varying sizes, the size you will need will depend on the size of the bonsai and the thickness of the branches you will be cutting. Investing in sharp tools is worthwhile as clean cuts will heal faster and better.
Step 2 – Determine Where to Cut
Place your bonsai on a flat surface, at eye level. Analyze your Bonsai tree to determine where you might want to prune. Remember to think about your bonsai tree’s design and how you would like it to look in the future as well as its health and stability. Keep Wabi-Sabi in mind
Step 3 – Deadwood
Locate the deadwood around your bonsai and remove it. Some bonsai artists prefer to preserve or even create deadwood on their trees. This is almost always used on evergreen trees and takes a high level of skill. We recommend removing all deadwood until you have been growing bonsai for a long time.
Step 4 – Begin Pruning
If you are doing some structural pruning use your concave cutter to make a clean cut and remove the branch. When doing maintenance pruning, remember to stand back occasionally and assess your work.
Step 5 – Prep the Branches
If you have cut large branches apply your healing paste.
Step 6 – After Pruning Care
After you prune your bonsai satisfaction, it’s time to water it. It is important to water it well, making sure there is plenty of moisture in the soil to help your bonsai recover.
As with all aspects of bonsai art, you must research your bonsai species and most importantly watch it carefully to learn how it reacts to different styles of pruning and care.