Question
 I am 16 years old, I live in Ireland. I have a few norweigen spruce (excuse the spelling) trees which are about 12cm in height. I have cut their roots back 1/3 about a year ago but I have no idea how to prune them. I`m afraid I`ll end up taking the wrong branch off or doing it at the wrong time of year. They are about four years old and I haven`t pruned them at all yet. I have taken their buds off in spring time to encourage a more dense growth, but I would like to know what the next step is. I have not used wire or anything to give them a shape yet, should I?
  Any information you could give me would be greatly appreciated,
 Thanks,
    Irene

Answer
Hi Irene:

Most of the work on this species of tree should be done spring through summer.  Repotting and root pruning are done every three to five years so you don't have to worry about that again for a while.  To tell you what to do with the tree at this point is kind of difficult without seeing the tree.  You have reached a point where you could start styling the trees into some sort of bonsai shape.  If you do not have any books on bonsai it would be useful to get a few from the library or book store, there are quite a few in publication.  They will show you some pictures of finished bonsai and give you some ideas of the different styles and maybe some ideas of where you want to go with your trees.  If you would like to email me direct we can talk more directly about the trees you have and you could send me some pictures of the trees through an email.  I might be able to help that way.  [email protected].

Vance Wood.