Pruning Bonsai In Winter

Trees in most parts of the world are subjected to temperatures of 15 f minus 10 degrees celsius and below in winter.
Pruning bonsai in winter. The mulch will act as insulation and also help trap moisture. This should be done utilizing a scooped branch cutter or pruning shears. Timing trims because junipers grow mostly in late winter and early spring with another flush of growth in fall those are the best times to prune your bonsai. Though bonsai trees can be pruned year round most of the pruning should be done when the tree is actively growing through the spring and summer.
Pruning the branches generally comes late in a tree s life after developing the trunk type. When it s cold the snow will cover your bonsai and protect a layer of insulation to the roots. But make sure to check our tree species guides for specific information. In bonsai the best time to prune is when you are in an energy positive to not slowly decrease the health of your tree.
As i said earlier if you prune after leaf drop the tree is still active and able to compartmentalize the wound it just should not push new growth as a result of the pruning. Bury the pot all the way into the dirt and place mulch up to the first branch of your tree. Pruning as for the above ground parts of the plant this late winter period is a good time for structural pruning replacement pruning and maintenance pruning. It also includes twig pruning leaf pruning and pinching.
Maintenance pruning maintenance pruning is all about keeping the design of your bonsai tree and distributing the foliage in a healthy way. Bonsai pruning ought to be done before freezing begins. Being below the ground will help keep the bonsai warm throughout the winter. Structural or hard pruning is intended to give an initial form to virgin material reducing the length of the trunk and accentuating the taper if this is part of the design conceived for the bonsai or removing unnecessary branches.
What follows in this article is a description useful for most outdoor bonsai kept in climates with cold winters. Pruning your tree at the beginning of fall decreases the trees ability to create cold hardiness and gather energy for the following spring. Depending on your location this may be from march to september. For your conifers and hardy deciduous bonsai snow can be your best friend in winter.
Method 2 doing structural and stylistic pruning. Even in late winter early spring and. A common practice is to bury your bonsai in the pot in a hole for the winter. On the days where the temperature rises above 32 degrees fahrenheit the snow will melt and provide water to the roots.
Protecting your bonsai trees in winter.