When to trim?

[ronnie_g]

Hi, I'm new at this. My husband bought a bonsai for me for my birthday. It's about three years old and was perfectly pruned when I got it. It's about a month later and the tree has lots of new growth shooting straight up. Do I snip these off to maintain the original shape it was in when I received it? What do I snip them off with if I do?

ronnie_g

[Rowdy]

Do you know what tree species it is ?

[Taffy]

Are you able to post a photo Ronnie? That would give people a better idea of what your tree needs, and would be able to advise accordingly.

As Rowdy said, the species would be good as well.

[kcpoole]

Most trees need constant trimming thru summer to maintain the shape of them

It depends o what sort of tree it is as to how best to achieve it

Deciduous trees we Pinch out the new growing shoots after the second set of leaves, and pines and junipers with usually pinch the Foliage or buds when needed.

Post a Pic of the tree and we can surely help out

Ken

[Mitchell]

I'm gonna take astab and say Ficus. If it is then I would be wiring the new long shoots, putting some curves/movement into them, then bringing them back down to the canopy and using them. You could just snip them, with sharp secateurs or nail clippers <---- don't tell them I said that.

[Dumper]

nail clippers!!

ahhaa

i was looking at manicure tools. some of them look like a good tool for mini and mame bonsai. like the little sideway skin cutter thing.

lol

[kcpoole]

I'm gonna take astab and say Ficus. If it is then I would be wiring the new long shoots, putting some curves/movement into them, then bringing them back down to the canopy and using them. You could just snip them, with sharp secateurs or nail clippers <---- don't tell them I said that.

For Ficus, I just use my fingernails
Pinch the tips off between a longish pair of nails works real good