Bonsai ToolsBonsai Tools

The Right Tools For The Job

My Father Has a Saying;

“The difference between doing a job like an amateur, and doing a job like a professional is having the right tools!”

 

This is certainly true when it comes to bonsai, so investing a little on the essential bonsai tools will allow you to get a much better result when pruning and shaping you bonsai tree.

  • Using inferior tools like general scissors or garden secateurs can damage and permanently scar your tree, or worse.
  • Tools should be kept sharp to make clean cuts and not compress the bark when removing branches and foliage.
  • Tools should be regularly cleaned and sterilised to avoid transferring disease from tree to tree.

Although there are many tools available in a variety of sizes and quality, when it comes to bonsai tools, I believe you get what you pay for! Spending a little more for better quality tools will usually guarantee longer lasting, reliable tools.

The Essential Bonsai Tools for a Beginner

 

PRUNING SCISSORS

Used for pruning foliage and small branches.
Trying to remove heavier branches may cause them to bend out of shape (I learnt this the hard way!), so use your concave cutters whenever possible.

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONCAVE OR BRANCH CUTTERS

Used for removing branches of the tree and leaves a concave cut (an inward curve), which will allow the scar to heal flush (level) with the surrounding bark, rather than leaving a stub which will heal over leaving a lump or unsightly scar.

 

 

 

 

 

 

WIRE CUTTERS

Used for cutting wire to length as well as for removing wire from your tree once the limb has set, or before wire begins to cut into your tree.

Trying to unwind the wire from the branch or trunk may cause damage to the bark or breaking of the branch.

Removing the wire by carefully using your wire cutters is a much safer option.

 

 

 

 

ROOT RAKE

The root rake is used to gently rake out the soil and tease the roots before root pruning, or potting into your bonsai container

MOST KITS WILL COME WITH THE ABOVE ESSENTIAL TOOLS AND ARE USUALLY CHEAPER TO PURCHASE THAN INDIVIDUAL TOOLS!

 

 

 

 

 

COMPLETE TOOL KITS

Although you can certainly spend a small fortune on lots of bright shiny tools available on the market,
buying only the essential bonsai tools is probably best for a beginner.

Each tool has a specific purpose and not having the right tool for the job can sometimes be detrimental to your bonsai and or tool you use as a substitute, in the way of damage to your tree or bending and blunting of your expensive tools.

Having the essential bonsai tools on hand makes the job of pruning, shaping and re-potting a lot less stressful to you and your bonsai, and can even speed up the job, especially if you have a large collection.

 

 

DO THE JOB LIKE A PROFESSIONAL, NOT AN AMATEUR WITH THE RIGHT TOOLS FOR THE JOB!

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