ENN: Environmental News Network [[ ENN Garden Tutorials ]]

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What you need: After two years of neglect, this bonsai could benefit from a little formative pruning. Removing some of the smaller interior branches will better express the tree’s natural form.

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First, remove any dead wood from the tree. With a pair of small, sharp bonsai shears, cut as close to the branch collar as possible without actually cutting into it.

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Use a sharp pruning knife to trim any excess material or to balance out an uneven cut.

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Remove any abnormally long shoots. A branch like this looks scraggly and unkempt, detracting from the compact form of the bonsai.

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When two branches cross over one another, the weaker of the two must be removed.

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After pruning, this bonsai has a more open habit and less cluttered appearance.