PatArizona

G'day Tim...

Listen to Pootsie...good advice...

"...Hack off the lower portion…
Cut away the stringy roots on the top…
Remove the big (roots) that grow down…leaving enough to support the plant…
Use a root rake (or root hook) or chop stick to separate what's left…
Work from the outside in, bit by bit. Starting at the center, working out will rip and destroy…
Trim to begin to shape nebari…
Repeat the process in a year or two...".

As to "...take some pie wedge cuts of the rootball...", with no disrespect to Carl intended...I fully understand that the "pie wedge" practice has been taught, written about, demonstrated, and practiced for many, many years...in fact I used to do the pie wedge myself...and lost a fist full of trees in the process. When you "...take some pie wedge cuts (out) of the rootball...", you could be removing half or more of the young, vigorous new roots...most of which you might want to keep.

From my experience, and in my opinion...the humblest of opinions I might add..., the use of the "pie wedge" practice is a very very bad thing.

For whatever it's worth...


Pat

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BONSAI isn't about surviving in a storm, rather, how to dance in the rain.
THE ONLY WAY: Always remember, and don't ever forget, that whatever you read here is not cast in concrete... the intent of any advice is to help. In no way should you feel that I’m saying that my way is the only way…heaven forbid! I've seen far too much of the "my way or the highway" attitude in bonsai as well as in other areas of life.