How to make bonsai tree Bonsai Styles for beginners Pruning How to Prune Bonsai Trees: Bonsai trees need training throughout their lives in order to: 1. Maintain the small size of a naturally large tree. 2. Give the plant an appearance of age and maturity. Pruning Tools: Pruning instruments should always be sharp and clean because blunt tools will leave a ragged stump, which could easily become a doorway for disease and pests. Heavy pruning cuts should be whittled down to a slight hollow in the trunk or branch in order to encourage the formation of a callous. Large cuts should be painted with protective paint. Different Types of Pruning: When pruning a branch, try to make the cut just above a bud that is pointing in the direction the branch to grow. If the cut slopes downwards, then the water will run off and the chances of rot will be considerably lessened. Main Branch Pruning: Heavy pruning should be carried out in autumn, winter, or early spring, and is the major way of s...