What do I use to clean the bark

[Mucky1957.]

I have three bonsai which have never been cleaned before.
I have taken all the moss off the base of the trees using a toothbrush.
Is there anything I can use to give the trunks a general clean before winter.
The trees will be stored in an unheated greenhouse.

 

[AcerAddict]

Welcome to the forum! Do you have a photo of the trees or can you at least say what species they are? That would help out in deciding what type of advice to give you. Many species have delicate, thin, or flaky bark that you don't want to be scrubbing on.

 

[Mucky1957.]

Welcome to the forum! Do you have a photo of the trees or can you at least say what species they are? That would help out in deciding what type of advice to give you. Many species have delicate, thin, or flaky bark that you don't want to be scrubbing on.

 

[Mucky1957.]

I tried to upload a video..its only 6mb long..but the site says its too big ? Sorry
Not the greatest pic I know..

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Cleaning is normally only done on smoother bark species… as we prize rough and flaky bark.

Use a toothbrush and water. Gentle pressure. Get bark wet first.

Cheers
DSD sends

 

[penumbra]

They don't look to me like they need cleaning. I just hardly ever see a reason to do so. Just my opinion.

 

[Mucky1957.]

fair enough. Always good to learn something new..water and toothbrush it is. Thanks.

 

[ShimpakuBonsai]

I often use a chopstick or a pair of tweezers to gently pick of the moss from the trunk of a pine for example.
If you use a toothbrush and scrub the trunk you have the risk of taking of pieces of bark and that is something you don't want to happen on those kind of trees.

 

[Ja_De]

I often use a chopstick or a pair of tweezers to gently pick of the moss from the trunk of a pine for example.
If you use a toothbrush and scrub the trunk you have the risk of taking of pieces of bark and that is something you don't want to happen on those kind of trees.

I've always read, heard, thought that keep moss and lichen off the tree but, other than that...
Another word for rain is shower.