[quote:49a4fd5483]The roots inside the rootball are like heavy wire and I need to thin them too. Any suggestions on cleaning out those heavy roots? I don't want to take to many out but the center of the rootball needs some air!
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After you comb out the exterior of the rootball, Remove some pie-shaped wedges around the circumference. That will preserve some of the long roots, yet let you get some new soil and feeder roots growing in near the base.
This is important for aeration and rejuvenation of the roots.
You may make more "slices" than shown in the diagram. This particular star was just a convenient shape to use.
A Repotting Sickle (sodcutter) is the ideal tool to use for this project, but a sharp, serrated knife can be substituted. We have some sickles on the
TreeBay Bonsai Tools & Supplies site. You'll find them on
this page