Many people think that a bonsai tree is a special breed of dwarf tree. In reality, each bonsai is an ordinary potted tree that is trimmed, wired and re-potted with great care throughout its life so that it grows into a specific, desired shape and size. You can create a bonsai tree from many species - from maples and junipers to evergreens and boxwoods.
The tradition of bonsai is all about imitating nature. Bonsai trees are shaped based on the appearance they would naturally take in the forest or in other natural settings. To produce their shapes, bonsai gardeners use wire to train each section of the tree, bending the branches into position. Branches, shoots, buds, and roots are pruned on a regular basis.
When considering the style of bonsai tree you wish to cultivate, think about that species' natural characteristics. It's much easier to train a tree to grow into a shape you might actually see in the wild.
There are several classic bonsai styles that have been in existence for centuries. With the formal upright style, the tree's trunk is vertical and stands straight with its apex or top directly above the trunk. The branches, which are often grouped in threes, are then arranged symmetrically and evenly spaced on both sides to form a pyramid-like shape. This style suits coniferous species such as larches, junipers, spruces, pines, cypress (Japanese cypress) and cedar (Japanese cedar).
An informal upright shape is similar to the formal style, but the trunk is allowed to curve as though leaning toward the sun. Many species are suited to this style, including maples such as the Japanese Maple, beech, conifers, and pines such as white pine.
A slanting style mimics a tree that has been blown by the wind, the trunk leaning to one side, either gently or sharply, with its branches arranged on either side. Most species are suited to this style, but especially conifers.
Cascade style bonsai are those trees whose branches and tip dip down lower than the rim of their containers, sometimes all the way down to the base. The main trunk of a cascade bonsai is often gnarled and curved, reminiscent of a stream curving down the side of a mountain. Flowering species such as cherry trees work well in a cascade style, and so do pines and cedar such as the Japanese cedar.
A broom style bonsai is an upright tree with branches that sprout out at angles that give it a symmetrical, broom-shaped appearance; elm trees are often well suited to this style.
In additional to single bonsai trees planted in individual pots, some bonsai artists place two or more trees together in the twin trunk style to create a unique look and offer the illusion of a forest setting in a very small space. If you are planting more than one tree, choose species that look good together and whose sizes and shapes complement one another. In the Japanese tradition, three trees grown together might symbolize the sun, the moon, and the earth; father, mother and child, or heaven, earth, and man. Species to try for this style include Japanese beech and maple.
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