There are 5 types of bonsai pruning:
Pinch: For evergreens and slow growing deciduous trees like beech. Operate once a year in early spring for pine. Crush between the thumb and forefinger and remove a large part of the conifer bud: the needles will be smaller the following year.
Structure size
It is used to lay the foundations for the structure of the tree (its trunk). It is practiced in winter to avoid excessive loss of sap.
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Maintenance size
It is carried out throughout the year, and is used to refine the shape of the bonsai: reducing the number of branches, thinning ...
The ligature
It consists in improving the shape (inclination) of the tree, using copper or aluminum wires wrapped around the trunk and branches of the bonsai trees. It can be done all year round, but be careful not to damage the leaves at the time of budbreak (bud hatching stage). The ligature remains in place for 6 months for hardwoods, to 1 year for conifers.
Twist off the buds from conifer trees.
To create a more compact shape, use your fingers to pinch out whole needles from areas that are too large or overgrown. Twist the needles to remove them from the twigs. Leave 3 needles on each branch, but feel free to remove the rest. This will encourage more branching on the tree.
