Why Your Bonsai's Pruning Scars Won't Close Even After Years

Why do some bonsai pruning scars remain open for years, even when the tree appears healthy? I’ll show you how wounds actually close, why growth matters more than repeated carving, and how to recognize whether a scar is healing slowly or active dieback is making it worse. In this video, I explain: • How callus tissue moves across a wound • Why refinement can slow scar closure • When sacrifice branches can help • How cut shape affects healing • What cut paste can—and cannot—do • How photos help me measure real progress • When major pruning should be timed • Why complete closure may sometimes be unrealistic Before you carve, scrape, or apply another product, I’ll help you reassess the wound and choose the next step with confidence. Subscribe to my channel for more guidance on helping bonsai wounds heal properly. 0:00 Why scars stay visible 1:06 How wounds actually close 2:17 Growth versus refinement 3:03 Using sacrifice branches 4:03 Choosing the right cut shape 5:49 Closure or active dieback 6:46 Measure progress with photos 7:34 What cut paste can do 8:41 Timing major pruning work 9:26 When closure is unrealistic 10:32 Plan before making cuts 11:00 Assess your scar again #Bonsai #BonsaiCare #BonsaiPruning #TreeCare #BonsaiTechniques #BonsaiHealing