GARDENPlants and seeds

The Art of Bonsai Shaping

The shape of a bonsai tree is what sets it apart from other plants. When you grow a bonsai, it’s not just another plant. Many people consider it to be an art, and spend much time sculpting their tree. Bonsai trees can be shaped into almost any form that you desire. Yet there are a few silhouettes that are more commonly found in bonsai shaping. Here’s a look at some of the most common shapes.

Literati: This is the style of bonsai that you’re most likely to find, and it’s also the shape that most people think of when the word bonsai comes to mind. The literati shape consists of a bare trunk and hardly any branches. In this style, all the branches are located at the top of the tree. 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: There are similarities between the slanting style and the formal upright bonsai in regards to the straight trunk. The difference lies in the fact that the trunk angles away from the base, either to the left or the right.

Forest: This is a more advanced style of growing bonsais. It involves arranging a few bonsai trees in a single container in a pleasing arrangement. The plants vary in height, which the observer will perceive as a deep forest. It is typical for three or more trees to be used in the forest style, usually an odd number. But you won’t see four trees used in the same container, because the number four has certain connotations 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 top of the tree flows to one side and grows to the foot of its container or just beneath it.

Even though these are the shapes most commonly found in bonsai plants, you might find some new style that appeals to you. However, it is always advised to begin with a common style when you first attempt to shape a bonsai tree. When you become skilled at this, you can start adding some distinctive touches of your own. Remember, bonsai care and shaping is an art.

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