My Bonsai Looks Dead. What Should I Do?

How to tell if a bonsai tree is dead.

If you need to know how to tell if a bonsai tree is dead, follow these instructions. Make a tiny nick just under the bark, almost peeling a bit of bark away. There should be a green layer right under the bark. If you reach a white layer, then you have gone too far. If there is a green layer, then the bonsai is still alive.

There is a green layer, what should I do now?

If there is a green layer, then there is still hope! The most important thing now is to get the care right. Surprisingly, around 90% of all issues with bonsai come from a watering issue. Check out the videos on the other care tabs for more on how to care for your bonsai.

There is no green layer, what should I do now?

Unfortunately if there is no green layer then the bonsai is dead. If this is the case, please try not to be too disheartened. When you fall off your bike, you just have to get back on and keep going; if your bonsai dies, then you just have to try again.

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