Good evening Bonsai enthusiasts!

I have recently been gifted a plant and it's my introduction to Bonsai in it's entirety. I'm an avid plant-lover but this is a new (and very beautiful) frontier for me!

I have read the accompanying book that came with it (Bonsai Basics by Colin Lewis) and have found it more interesting for the history rather than for help with the actual plant itself, due to the fact that lots of the information is species-specific. So I have some questions and would love it if anyone can help!

A) Can anyone identify my Bonsai for me? I think it's a Japanese Beech but I might be wrong...

As you can see the leaves are very much dry and dying, is this a seasonal thing or is it very unhealthy? I think it might not have been watered in the 10 days or so before me receiving it...

C) I have read lots about pruning but am not sure, does this plant look like it needs branches or leaves trimming? Should I wait until Spring?

Any and all help warmly appreciated,

Thank-you all!

Joe

This plant is typical of the poor quality of trees sold to beginners. It looks like a Chinese Elm that has not been watered properly for possibly weeks. It is a hardy plant and will not survive inside for long. It is already showing signs of serious neglect and there is a high chance that it will not survive. If it is dry water it. No fertiliser, do not repot and place it in as cool as possible place outside would be better depending on the weather where you are. If there is no frost then put it outside you could take the dead leaves off but they will fall in time. If it is still alive in a month then you will be lucky,

I second Geoff as always.

Definitely a chinese elm. A decidious temperate tree. If you have sub zero temperatures where you are, don't put it outside. It can handle temperatures down to -15, but not If it hasen't experienced the seasonal lowering in temperatures in authum. The best you can do is to put it in as low temperature as possible above 0.

One month is not enough to tell if it will survive. You must wait until spring for the final verdict.

That is If you are in the northern hemisphere. If you are in the southern hemisphere. It may be dooned. But in that case, put it outdoors emedantly and look for signes of life.