What are the most useful tools for root pruning trees or shrubs that need repotting?

Question

Hello, 2 questions please 😊

For years I've left my acer palmatum trees in the same pots, never doing anything for them.  I noticed this summer that they are not doing as well as before and so I've watched a couple of videos on how to root prune and then repot them into a slightly bigger pot with fresh potting soil.  The overseas videos I watched, the presenter had  great tools that so far I have not found online in Australia.  It seems I need a good sized sharp knife, a concave pruning cutter, an hand implement with curved tines to tease the roots out, a pair of sharp pruning scissors etc.  Where can I buy all this?  I did not find it on the Bunnings website.

Second question, does Bunnings Tamworth NSW ever run workshops on root pruning  or on bonzai?

Thanks

Linda

MitchellMc · Answer

No, you don't need any expensive tools at all @LoveGardening. It would be worth investing in a good-quality set of secateurs like the Fiskars Large Aluminium Bypass Pruner, but apart from that, just take your time, and you'll get through the rootball perfectly fine. Waiting until the plant is dormant is a good idea.

Mitchell

LoveGardening · Answer

Thanks Mitchell, seems I don't need those expensive tools after all!

The tree in question has been in a 35 to 40cm pot for going on ten years.  It is very stunted this year and it will be very rootbound and/or is likely to have sent a root or two into the ground, I haven't tried to shift the pot yet, was going to wait for the tree to go dormant first.  Photo attached.

Kind regards

Linda

MitchellMc · Answer

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @LoveGardening. It's fantastic to have you join us and many thanks for your question on root pruning.

It would be really helpful if you could share a photo of your acer palmatum trees so we can better understand their size. The tools you need will depend on whether they are small bonsai‑style plants or larger potted trees. You mentioned both trees and bonsai, which suggests they may be on the smaller side.

From my own bonsai experience, you actually do not need many specialised tools for root pruning. Most maples can be managed with a sharp pair of secateurs, which will handle the majority of fine and medium roots. If the plants are larger, a simple hand cultivator is useful for teasing out the roots. For small bonsai-sized plants, a regular dinner fork or a chopstick works perfectly well. Wetting the rootball first makes it easier to loosen and tease out the roots.

If your trees are bigger and have a few thick woody roots, a pruning saw or a pair of loppers can help. The more specialised bonsai tools you have seen overseas are nice to own but they are not essential for routine, health based root maintenance. I was taught by one of the leading Bonsai teachers in Australia, and he, as well as other Japanese bonsai artists, would just hack away at the rootball with secateurs. Teasing roots out and delicately pruning them is normally reserved for the Nebari and surface roots which will be on show.

Occasionally, Bunnings stores run bonsai workshops that may include tips on root care, but there are no dedicated root pruning workshops. Feel free to ask any questions here. The community is always happy to help guide you through the process.

Here's a helpful guide: How to grow and care for a bonsai.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell