Cryptomeria six years on: from neglected tree to a fresh trim

Jonas Dupuich of Bonsai Tonight shares an honest update on a Cryptomeria that spent several years mostly left alone. The previous update was in 2020, when the tree got its first wiring, and after that it grew largely unattended.

In October 2023, while writing the Essential Bonsai Book, he used the tree as a case study. One session of pruning and wiring cleaned it up well because the basic structure was already in place. Then it went shaggy again over the next three years. He had left branches long in the earlier styling to avoid cutting too much at once, and by July 2026 it was clear the silhouette needed a big trim.

Volunteers Nicole and Gianne did most of the pruning. The tree was photographed from four sides to judge trunk shape and branch depth, and three large branches were removed, one on the left and two on the right. After that the tree was wired, with branches needed to fill in the sides and back so the shape works from every angle.

The takeaway is that Cryptomeria ideally needs one or two prunings a year, depending on growth. Regular maintenance is simple but tedious, and consistent work eventually pays off. I appreciated the candid tone about neglect, which many of us can relate to.

Source: Bonsai Tonight