Tools and effort are essential in the cultivation of bonsai trees.  The effort is up to you, but here is a little advice on the tools aspect.   Some tools are specifically for bonsai gardening, while others can be used for traditional gardening activities. There are not a lot of tools required that are specific to bonsai, and there are many tools that you can modify instead of buying bonsai specific tools for your gardening efforts.

Shears And Cutters

Shears are used by the bonsai gardener to control the growth of the bonsai tree.  Larger shears will be ideal for cutting larger branches, however they will fail to reach spots between the trunk and branches.  You will want at least two sizes of shears.

Cutters excel  at cutting tough branches.  While shears will be able to perform most tasks for you, there are cuts that will require cutters instead of shears.  Flush cuts require a concave cutter, spherical cutters are used for cuts close to the trunk.  Cutters also tend to have better scarring control.

Wire Cutters and Pliers

These two bonsai tools are necessary for training the bonsai into different styles and poses. Both tools can actually cut wire but the wire cutter has a larger range while the pliers can be used to shape and manipulate the wires to train the branches. These are necessary tools for bonsai that can also be used outside of bonsai gardening.

Trunk Splitters And Root Cutters

These two bonsai tools are tools which are more specifically inclined for bonsai gardening only, especially the trunk splitter. Trunk splitters are used to design the bonsai especially for poses that necessitate clearing of the trunk.

Other Bonsai Tools

Branch benders, leaf trimmers, saws, jin tools and picks are bonsai tools that are also needed to make a beautiful piece of art. Branch benders are used to cultivate branches to any form while leaf trimmers are for snipping small leaves and buds. Saws are for branches that cannot be cut by cutters and picks are for picking off the soil from the roots. Jin bonsai tools are used to fashion the bark of the bonsai tree for a more antique or weathered look.

Related posts:

1. Bonsai Wire Cutters
2. Concave Bonsai Branch Cutter
3. Getting Started as a Bonsai Gardener