Tips for Shaping Your Bonsai Tree to Perfection

One of the key characteristics of a bonsai tree is its shape. Bonsai gardening is not only a hobby, it is an art form, and this is demonstrated by the way you choose to guide and shape your tree. Your imagination is the only limit when it comes to shaping bonsai trees. However, there are several profiles that are more widespread than others when it comes to bonsai shaping. Following are some of the favorite styles.

Literati: The most common shape of bonsai tree is the literati style, and this is what most people visualize when they think of a bonsai. The literati shape consists of a bare trunk and hardly any branches. The branches of this style are all positioned near the top. The lower part of the trunk, which is bare, is usually elegantly twisted.

Formal and Informal Upright: Upright styles, both formal and informal, are another familiar approach to bonsai shaping. Trees in these forms are guided into an erect, upright position with a tapered trunk. The familiar bends and curves of the informal style differentiate it from the formal shaping technique.

Slanting: This style starts out the same as the formal upright shape with its straight trunk. The difference lies in the fact that the trunk angles away from the base, either to the left or the right.

Forest: An advanced form of bonsai gardening is the forest style, which consists of artistically grouping several bonsais in one container. The trees are of varying heights, which gives the perception of depth. Most often, there are at least three trees that make up the forest style, and it’s usually an odd number of plants. However, four trees are never used in one pot, as the number four has implications in Japan.

Cascading: One of the most striking shapes of bonsai trees is the cascade style. The cascade style imitates the trees that grow on mountains or over the water, and is very beautiful. The tree top gently flows to the side and extends to the bottom of the pot or slightly lower.

Although these shapes are the most frequently used for styling a bonsai tree, you may discover a new fashion that you prefer. But you should always start off with a basic style if you don’t have experience in shaping bonsais. Once you have mastered this, then you can begin to add your very own personal touches to lend uniqueness to the tree. Remember, bonsai care and shaping is an art.