| Bonsai trees are examples of an ancient art form, | | | | Other styles show a tree shaped by the struggle for |
| begun in China and further developed in Japan. In 1829, | | | | life. The effect may be achieved by removing or |
| a definitive book on the subject was published in Japan | | | | scarring the bark, twisting and bending the trunk as if |
| and the whole nation became more involved in this | | | | shaped by strong, prevailing winds, or having the tree |
| practice of shaping nature to an artistic ideal. After | | | | grow over or out of a rock. Some artists train the |
| World War II, many in the western world became | | | | trunk to lie horizontally, with the branches growing up to |
| bonsai enthusiasts also. There are now clubs, | | | | simulate many small trees. Others cause many sprouts |
| magazines, newsletters, training video, and many | | | | to grow from one root mass, giving the final impression |
| bonsai supply stores to serve the millions who enjoy | | | | of a close grouping of trees on a hilltop. |
| these miniature trees. | | | | The techniques of shaping, pruning, root pruning, and |
| Any tree or woody shrub can be used as a dwarf | | | | defoliation are part of the absorbing hobby. There are |
| potted plant, but certain species are more suited to the | | | | many techniques, such as starting a plant in a large |
| purpose. Certain species are most easily adapted to | | | | container to achieve vigorous growth at first, and then |
| the pruning of roots and branches necessary to | | | | later trimming all of it to fit into the traditional shallow |
| restrain a mature plant to a size that can fit into a pot, | | | | bowl that is the classic bonsai container. A daring |
| and to provide the desired appearance. Plants with | | | | move is to remove all the leaves from a healthy |
| smaller leaves or fine needles, for instance, are better | | | | miniature tree; the tree will put out new, generally much |
| than a broad-leaved tree or shrub. | | | | smaller leaves. The effect can be very pleasing, but |
| Seeds can be obtained for starting your own plants, | | | | the process seriously stresses the tree and cannot be |
| but it is more usual to start with a more mature plant | | | | done often. |
| chosen for its characteristics than make it visually | | | | There are many tools, training guides, exhibitions, and |
| appealing. Species of western juniper are widely used | | | | gardens where bonsai may be seen. Nurseries often |
| in the United States, while types of pine are popular in | | | | sell them and they can be ordered online. The real |
| Japan. The artist is the final judge of which tree will | | | | fans of the dwarfed plants will want to create their |
| achieve the final vision, but the plant must be hardy | | | | own, seeing if they can achieve what their inner eye |
| enough to survive the rigorous transforming process. | | | | sees, and then hoping to keep the tree alive and |
| Before you begin with bonsai, it will be wise to educate | | | | conformed to the original vision year after year. There |
| yourself on the traditional categories of shaping and | | | | is a bonsai tree over 500 years old, revered as one of |
| look at many examples of each. Some trees are | | | | Japan's great treasures. |
| shaped like a normal tree in miniature; the formal and | | | | Bonsai trees require dedication and commitment, since |
| informal upright look is a tapering trunk (straight up in | | | | the tree is stressed and must be carefully watered, |
| the formal style, curved or twisted but mainly upright in | | | | fertilized, and trimmed on a regular schedule. The |
| the informal) with naturally arranged but not | | | | rewards are great, however, both in beauty and in |
| symmetrical branches fully with abundant leaves. | | | | inner satisfaction. |