Pruning in winter

[Tibar96]

It's my first time wintering bonsai since I started last spring and I think I made a mistake by pruning and wiring the branches on my little chinese elm now, in late december rather than waiting for early spring.... what do you advise me to do next? The tree lost it's leaves naturally so it's dormant. I live in romania(zone 6) but this year we have a pretty warm winter (over 5 C during the day and about freezing at night), but it might get colder in late January.

 

[sorce]

This kinda work is a little safer done while the branches still have some time to heal before dormancy.

It'll probably make it but be gentle or skip wiring new growth.

Nice.

Sorce

 

[Shibui]

Trees are very resilient. Our winter days are usually a bit warmer but nights go a bit below freezing, otherwise sounds fairly similar.
I am quite happy to prune and wire in winter. Yes, they don't heal straight away and maybe spring would be 'safer' but I still don't lose trees from either pruning or wiring.
Relax and wait for the tree to grow in spring. No need to have second thoughts after you have already done the work because you can't take it back now.

 

[Tibar96]

This kinda work is a little safer done while the branches still have some time to heal before dormancy.

It'll probably make it but be gentle or skip wiring new growth.

Nice.

Sorce

Thank you so much for the reply!

 

[Tibar96]

Trees are very resilient. Our winter days are usually a bit warmer but nights go a bit below freezing, otherwise sounds fairly similar.
I am quite happy to prune and wire in winter. Yes, they don't heal straight away and maybe spring would be 'safer' but I still don't lose trees from either pruning or wiring.
Relax and wait for the tree to grow in spring. No need to have second thoughts after you have already done the work because you can't take it back now.

Thank you, I was a little bit scared at first, but seeing how mild this winter is i know it will be fine.

 

[ConorDash]

I am late to do any work on my 20+ trees this winter, had other personal things I was busy with. So I just started. Did an English Elm and hornbeam over last few days. I would not think twice about pruning any of the 6 Chinese Elms I have.
True, I see it recommended to do earlier so they heal slightly but honestly, its meaningless... I am one for "ideal" timings but sometimes, things gotta be done and we have to remember that ideal or not, it can sometimes make little to no difference.

Only other thing I would say about pruning and this time of year is, I hear, don't do it too much near Spring. Yes they'll start to be active and heal but by Spring, the tree will have pushed those nutrients and "energy" up to its branches and buds... then we come along and cut them off... sure it'll heal but we are cutting off a lot of good "energy" in that process. id prefer not. Like to be able to sit back and enjoy Spring, watch the trees do their thing, no work... except repoting.... ah god, I have so much repotting to do, I just briefly forgot.

 

[Tidal Bonsai]

The only thing you need to watch out for is swelling in the spring. Wire bites in fast!