how do you know if your bonsai tree is still alive??

Question

is it ok if you don't ever give it any fertilizer??

Answer 1

Bend a small branch. If it bends, the tree is alive. If it snaps, that branch is dead. Keep bending branches until one bends. To check the trunk (which is thicker than the branches), use your thumbnail to LIGHTLY scrape the bark. Is it green or brown? That will let you know if the trunk is alive. If you have any more questions, you might want to check my website:
www.american-bonsai.com , or email me at
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Answer 2

A drastic and destructive way; break a branch and see if you have a green layer below the bark. I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS!!

The best way is to check the leaf buds. They should be fat and have a slight green tinge (depending on tree). You can always go to a nursery, and check if they have a similar species, and compare how the branches on their plant with yours.

Also, assume it is still alive and continue caring for it. Occasionally water it the remainder of the winter, and fertilize it very lightly (very week fertilizer solution) after bud break. If it has not survived, you can discard it later.

This will only take a little of your time and will serve to remind you that your bonsai depends on you!

Answer 3

The easiest way to see if it is alive is to gently scrap the trunk of the tree with a finger nail and remove a tiny bit of bark.

If you see green below the bark, the tree is still alive.

And yes, you do have to fertilize hte tre to get it to live. While it is not necessary (but is recommended) to feed the tree once a month, if you never feed it, it will not recieve the required nutrients to grow new leaves and roots and will slowly die off.

Answer 4

You don't have to fertilize it. But to tell if it alive, does it have leaves? Active growth? Is it a deciduous plant?