Bonsai Tools That Are Essential For The Beginner

THE RIGHT TOOLS FOR THE JOB 

My Dad always says; “The difference between doing a job as a professional and a job as an amateur, is having the CORRECT 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 your tree. 

Using inferior tools like general scissors or garden secateurs can damage and permanently scar your tree, or worse. 

BONSAI TOOLS should be kept sharp to make clean cuts and not compress the bark when removing branches etc, and  should be regularly cleaned and sterilized to avoid transferring disease from tree to tree. 

Although there are many types 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 equipment. 

ESSENTIAL BONSAI TOOLS

Below I have outlined the essential bonsai I believe you need to get you started with your first few trees at least. 

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 rest of the bark, rather than leaving a stub which will heal over leaving a lump or unsightly scar. 

PRUNING SCISSORS

Used for pruning foliage and small branches. Trying to remove heavier branches may cause then to bend out of shape, so use your branch cutters whenever possible. 

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 a branch may cause damage to the bark or breaking of the branch so cutting the wire off with wire cutters is a much safer option. 

 ROOT RAKE

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

CHOP STICK

Use your chopstick to gently push soil in and around the roots of your newly potted bonsai, to remove any air pockets around the roots.

 Although you can spend a small fortune on lots of bright shiny BONSAI 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 CORRECT tool for the job can sometimes be detrimental to your bonsai and or the tool you use as a substitute, in the way of damage to you 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 and can even speed up the job, especially if you have a large collection.

 So do the job as a professional, not an amateur with the CORRECT BONSAI TOOLS for the job