First bonsai, want opinion on first pruning

[Markel]

It’s a Fukien Tea tree, I got it a few days ago from a local garden center, they left it very overgrown in the middle so I did some major branch pruning and I’m scared I did too much. here’s the before and after.

 

[Potawatomi13]

Might survive but needs several years growth to amount to anything

 

[Markel]

Might survive but needs several years growth to amount to anything

Any advice for keeping it alive?

 

[BobbyLane]

Any advice for keeping it alive?

Leaving it alone. You'll do well if you can keep a Carmona alive for 6 months. Its a beginner tree or gateway tree into the hobby, a bit like Chinese elms (mallsais) which are way more hardier. My first ever tree was also a Carmona. Lets see if youre still here in 6 months...

put carmona or fukien into the search bar and you should be able to read through previous threads

 

[Markel]

Ok, thank you!

 

[Markel]

I just realized the base of the tree is 1-2 inches below the top of the moss and soil. Is this bad or should I just leave it?

 

[MeDupree]

I just realized the base of the tree is 1-2 inches below the top of the moss and soil. Is this bad or should I just leave it?

If you prefer the look you should remove it now and replace with a better moss that won't cover the trunk at a later time

 

[Markel]

I removed the moss but I saw small roots poking up around the edges, so I put the moss back. Does this mean I should repot it in the spring?