• Nationwide Delivery

    Nationwide Delivery Fast and reliable nationwide delivery on all of our bonsai products.
  • Competitive Prices

    Competitive Prices Unbeatable prices you won’t find anywhere else online.
  • 5 Star Reviews

    5 Star Reviews We are proud to offer excellent customer service.

Pruning Your Bonsai

Welcome to our care guide on pruning bonsai trees. We’re here to help you take care of your bonsai through expert advice. Find out how to prune bonsai trees below!

Bonsai Pruning Guide

Pruning is essential for training your bonsai tree into shape. It’s relatively easy to learn even for beginners, especially when your tree is young. The process of bonsai pruning refers to trimming overgrown branches and shoots. We don’t recommend using kitchen or stationary scissors, as these do not perform clean cuts and can potentially harm the tree. 

 

You can get bonsai tool kits with special pruning scissors. These tend to have a much sharper blade which allows for a smoother cut. You will need to prune the branches, the leaves and the buds in order to shape your bonsai tree however you like. The purpose of pruning is to correct the uneven growth that your tree faces due to it competing for sunlight. 

 

After you’ve finished with the bonsai pruning. You can use bonsai cutting paste to seal the cut so your tree doesn’t lose moisture from the cut branches.  

 

We offer pruning scissors and complete bonsai tool kits suitable for beginners as well as experienced bonsai enthusiasts. Shop our full range of bonsai accessories which will help you with pruning your bonsai into shape.

Shop Our Trees

Bonsai Pruning

BONSAI PRUNING – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Pruning your bonsai tree is an important part of keeping your bonsai healthy. Most beginner bonsai enthusiasts have many questions when it comes to bonsai pruning. One of the questions we often hear is “how to trim a bonsai tree?”. Below we have answered some of the most common questions when it comes to pruning your bonsai tree. 

HOW TO PRUNE BONSAI TREES?

Pruning your bonsai tree is easier than you might think. Examine your tree for any dead, dry or overgrown branches, then carefully take the branch between your fingers and snip it with pruning scissors. Dried branches normally look grayer than healthy ones so it’s easy to notice them. Cut to where the healthy young branch starts. 

WHEN TO PRUNE MY BONSAI TREE?

In general, you should prune your bonsai tree every 2 months, but always make sure you’re on the lookout for discoloured branches or leaves as this is a good indication that it’s time to prune. The best time to prune your bonsai tree is when it’s producing new growth. This can vary for different species of bonsai trees, but it’s generally between spring through early autumn.

HOW TO SHAPE A BONSAI TREE?

Shaping your bonsai tree is done mostly through pruning back the branches until your tree takes whatever shape you desire. By pruning you also ensure that the branches remain young and flexible so if you want to train your bonsai into a different shape you can do that with bonsai wire and they won’t break as you try to tie them.

WHAT EQUIPMENT DO I NEED TO PRUNE MY BONSAI TREE?

Pruning your bonsai tree should be carried out with specialised bonsai tools only. Pruning scissors or shears are ideal and a bonsai brush is all you really need to get started. Remember, the quality and condition of your bonsai tools have a big impact on your tree, so be sure you’re only using the best in the correct way.

WHY SHOULD I PRUNE MY BONSAI TREE?

Pruning is carried out on bonsai to maintain its health, and ensure it’s kept neat and relatively small, just how bonsai trees should be. Regular trim can promote new healthy growth on your tree. On the other hand, not pruning your bonsai can cause your bonsai to lose its shape and impact its overall health. 

For Help & Advice Please Call Us On 01455 552211 Or Come And Visit Our Store

Contact Us