This question for me is more about the ethics of trimming plants than about bonsai specifically. Was the original question implying a more general metaphor (not

This question for me is more about the ethics of trimming plants than about bonsai specifically. Was the original question implying a more general metaphor (not specific to plants) like the one you went into? I think trimming a plant with respect for the plant's health is in line with what plants are adapted to experience, and won't cause suffering or loss of life quality.