Hello,
I would like to discuss something about pruning with you in the following manner:
Unfortunately, pruning does put the branch at risk for big, unattractive wounds. For this reason, you should use a concave cutter, which creates a hollow around the wound, which heals much quicker and cleaner. Instead of becoming over eager at pruning, you will typically prune lightly, just enough to help give definition to the main branch structure.
However, you need to keep the smaller branches cut back regularly, which helps maintain the shape of the tree. Unlike form pruning that should only be done in the springtime, maintenance pruning can be done throughout the year.
Plucking
This is a different type of method for pruning your Bonsai. In this case, only pine trees can be plucked while deciduous trees would still need to be pruned. Additionally, with plucking, you can do this anytime throughout the year.
Defoliation
This particular method should only be done if your Bonsai is healthy. Otherwise, part or all of it will die. While there is no set schedule for defoliating your Bonsai, you want to remove the leaves as soon as you see new buds appear. You can usually tell when the tree needs to be defoliated in that one branch will developer faster or slower than the rest on the tree.
Jin and Shari
These two methods help make the Bonsai appear older and is generally used to enhance the tree’s natural appearance and character. The word Jin means, “baring and bleaching a branch” and Shari means, “baring and bleaching a part of the trunk.”