Bonsai Tools

Proper tools are an essential part of any serious bonsai growers arsenal. Bonsai tools come ina variety of shapes and sizes - and all have their specific function designed specifically to be used with bonsai trees.  Here we aim to cover the main types to give you an idea of the tools you may require if you are thinking of growing your bonsai and getting serious about it.

The Concave Pruner - Perhaps the single most important is the concave pruner, the main function of which is to remove branches in a way that promotes rapid and aids smooth healing of the wound. The name comes from the shape of the cut and of the wound left on the trunk or branch. When used properly, the concave pruner leaves a wound that is taller than it is wide and also slightly concave. The concave pruner wound makes use of the fact that in nature the wounds on the trunk of trees heal in from the sides rather than from the top and bottom. By creating a concave wound, it is aloowed to callous over without creating a bump on the trunk which is undesirable. A general rule of thumb is never to cut material that is larger than one half of the size of the pruner's cutting edge when measured from tip to heel.

Bud Scissors - Bud scissors are the best for trimming small branches, buds and leaves. The short blades and finger holes aloow for excellent control, enabling trimming with precision. Whilst mainly used for delicate work, the short blades gives great cutting power when needed. Also, when the blades of the bud-scissors are closed, the handles remain apart. This is good because it helps stop inadvertent crushing of other parts of the bonsai.

Wire Cutters - Training bonsai usually involves the use of wire to both position and shape trunk and branches. Wire cutters commonly available from local hardware stores are adequate for cutting wire for application to the bonsai, but this is not the case when cutting the wire to remove it. Thisis because the training wire is in close contact with the trunk or limb. Therefore just the tip of the wire cutter is being used to sever the wire, otherwise the branch may be badly damaged. Bonsai wire cutters have very short cutting blades, which greatly increases the mechanical advantages.

The Knob Cutter - The knob cutter is a valuable addition to any bonsai tool kit, despite the fact that it is used much less frequently than concave pruners or the bud scissors. The cutting blades are shaped like two halves of a sphere coming together. This allows the tool bite into wood aggressively. Protruding stubs are easily nibbled away by the knob cutter. An additional use is the removal of undesirable root or trunk material around a partially removed tap root. This particularly aggressive nibbling ability easily removes things underneath the trunk where lack of space would otherwise make it difficult to use other tools. All your implements should be protected by carefully avoiding blade contact with soil or anything that may contain some hard particles such as sand, grit or stone.

The Root Hook - Soil removal and the untangling of roots is a regular chore when repotting. When the bonsai artist is working with medium to large size material the need for a more efficient and substantial tool than a chopstick (often used for smaller trees) arises. A variety of root hooks are available. Single point tools are better at getting the job done with minimal damage. Multi point tools are slightly better for soil removal, but often tend to do some fine root damage.

The Root Cutter - A number of tools can perform the needed cuts and this includes concave pruners. However, the risk of damage to the tools is high due to the likelihood of small stones getting caught in your blades. Root cutters have thicker blade construction that is generally more resistant to damage.

Other Tools - Beyond the basic instruments there are numerous other tools and devices that can be useful in certain circumstances. Among these are saws, brushes, tweezers, pliers for jin and wiring, gouges and other carving tools, jacks and bending levers. Purchase of these items is best reserved when it is clear that they are needed to justify the cost.