Grove Meadows

Pine Bonsai

An Overview of the Art of Bonsai

Bonsai, the artistic representation of a natural tree, first appeared in China over a thousand years ago on a very basic scale known as "pun-sai". The Japanese have been recorded to adopt and refine the art to an extent not yet approached in China. The Japanese today regard bonsai as a symbol of their culture and ideals.

On its arrival in the western world, the art of bonsai has been warmly welcomed and embraced as a rewarding past time or hobby. It is said to allow a greater understanding and being with nature in addition to enhancing our gardens.

The five basic bonsai styles are formal upright, informal upright, slanting (or windswept), semi-cascade and cascade. All have their own individual beauty and serenity.

A tree with a style such as formal upright occurs when it has grown in the open under perfect conditions. The most important requirement for this style is that the trunk should be perfectly straight, tapering naturally and evenly from base to apex. The branches should be symmetrically spaced so that they are balanced when viewed from any direction. It is quite a demanding style to achieve. Junipers, pines, and spruces are great to try and grow in the formal upright style.

In an informal upright bonsai the trunk should slightly bend to the right or left - but never towards the viewer. This applies to all types of bonsai. Neither the trunk nor branches should be pointing towards the viewer when the bonsai is viewed from the front. For this style, try a Japanese maple, Trident maple, or almost any conifer and ornamental tree.

Trees that slant naturally occur as a result of buff setting winds or deep shade during early development. Whether curved or straight, the whole trunk leans at a definite angle. The stronger roots grow out on the side, away from the angle of the trunk lean, to support the weight. Almost any type of tree will work well with this style.

The growing tip of a cascade bonsai reaches below the base of a container. The trunk has a natural taper and gives the impression of the forces of nature pulling against the forces of gravity. Branches appear to be seeking the light. The winding main trunk is reminiscent of a stream meandering down the side of a mountain. There are many types of trees that can be used to achieve a cascading bonsai. The key here is to make sure the tree isn't naturally straight and upright.

The tip of a semi-cascade, like the cascade, projects over the rim of the container, but does not drop below its base. The style occurs in nature when trees grow on cliffs or overhang water. The angle of the trunk in this bonsai is not precise, as long as the effect is strongly horizontal, even if the plant grows well below the level of the pot rim. Any exposed roots should balance the trunk. Flowering cherry trees, cedars, and junipers work very well in this style of bonsai. Many people feel this style of bonsai is the epitome of beauty in the art.

It is important for you to remember, as a beginner, that no single bonsai style is the "right" style. More than anything else you should not try to train a bonsai to grow in a style it is not accustomed to. Study the natural growth patterns of the tree you are going to grow and enhance on the pattern nature gave it.

About the Author

Patrick Carpen is the designer, writer and owner of the website http://bonsaitree.infobay.ws/
He is an internet entrepreneur who helps the average user better understand the workings of internet in addition to providing high quality content on selected topics. This website was created to help internet users get a better insight into the art of bonsai.

Artificial Japanese Pine Bonsai Tree $24.95 Artificial Japanese Pine Bonsai tree with 103 leaves.

Hanes Bonsai Sweatshirt $34 Top quality embroidered long sleeve bonsai sweatshirt. Multi-colored Japanese Black Pine bonsai tree embroidered design. Top quality cotton/poly blend. Sizes Medium (38-40), Large (42-44), Xlarge (46-48). Select size at checkout. Black color, long sleeves.

Japanese Black Pine Bonsai Tree(pinus thunbergii 'mikawa') $195 Stiff dark green needles (3-5 inches long)occur in pairs. Large, grayish-white terminal buds help dishtinguish it from most other pines. Much sought after in bonsai and takes many years to acheive the look of a superior specimen bonsai. Hardy. Likes sun. Keep outdoors.

Japanese Black Pine Bonsai Tree Seeds $2.95 Propagation instructions are included with each packet.

Japanese White Pine Bonsai Tree(pinus parviflora 'bergman') $69.95 Great blue color that has a nice curve to its needles. Medium sized cones. Very dense and quite slow growing. All this wrapped up in one makes for a great bonsai. Keep outdoors.

White Pine Bonsai Tree(pinus strobus 'stoneybrook') $175 Our native White Pine has long, fine needles, clustered in 5's along the branches gives a soft, feathery look. Golden needles cover a broad rounded canopy. Great year round but we find that its at its best in winter, when it seems to glow against snow or other bare trees. Hard. Keep outdoors. 13 years old. 14" x 14" x 23". Potted in a 10" round green/red container with colored floral etched design.

Podocarpus Bonsai Tree - Styled(podocarpus macrophyllus) $59.95 AKA Buddhist Pine or Chinese Yew. Podocarpus is a dense evergreen with pointed, leathery, dark green leaves arranged on stiff, symmetrical branches. The tree which is unisexual, has male flowers in cones and female flowers composed of cylindrical thickened scales. The fruits often edible, are pedunculate, fleshy and brightly colored. New foliage comes in a light green color that turns darker with age. Our trees are trained in the traditional bonsai style. Grows very well albeit slowly indoors.

Podocarpus Bonsai Tree(podocarpus macrophyllus) $350 Also known as Buddhist Pine. Podocarpus is a dense evergreen with pointed, leathery, dark green leaves arranged on stiff symmetrical branches. The tree which is unisexual, has male flowers in cones and female flowers composed of cylindical thickened scales. The fruits are edible, pendiculate, fleshy and brightly colored. New foliage comes in a light green color that turns darker with age. Our tree is trained in the traditional bonsai style with a curved trunk and tiered branching. Grows very well albeit slowly indoors.

Bonsai $10 Bonsai

Podocarpus Bonsai Tree - Dwarf Pringles Large(podocarpus macrophyllus) $45.95 AKA Buddhist Pine or Chinese Yew. Podocarpus is a dense evergreen with pointed, leathery, dark green leaves arranged on stiff, symmetrical branches. The tree which is unisexual, has male flowers in cones and female flowers composed of cylindrical thickened scales. The fruits often edible, are pedunculate, fleshy and brightly colored. New foliage comes in a light green color that turns darker with age. Our trees are trained in the traditional bonsai style. Grows very well albeit slowly indoors.

Japanese Red Pine Bonsai Tree-26x22x32(pinus resinosa 'quinobequin') $195 A globe shaped dwarf with needles half as long as those of the species. Has soft flexible needles and purple-red cones. Soft reddish bark. Originated from a witches'-broom which is a dense abnormal growth that arises from mutated buds on coniferous trees. Hardy. Keep outdoors. 24 years old. 26"x22"x32". Potted in a 14" blue ceramic fluted oval container as shown.

Japanese Black Pine Bonsai Tree (pinus thunbergii 'kotobuki') $89.95 This dwarf to intermediate 2-needled species is easily distinguished from all other Pines by its large, candle-like buds which are silvery white and very showy. The Kotobuki has short, very dark green needles and the winter buds are white. Evergreen. Keep outdoors.

The Japanese Five Needle Pine: Nature, Gardens, Bonsai, Taxonomy (ency $35.2 The Japanese Five Needle Pine: Nature, Gardens, Bonsai, Taxonomy (ency

TopDawg Pet Supply Resin Ornament - Bonsai Birch Wood Sm With Pine Needles $14.59 Blue Ribbon BONSAI BIRCH PINE NEEDLE SM

Japanese Black Pine on Rock Slab $125 Stiff dark green needles (3"-5" long) occur in pairs. Large, grayish-white terminal buds help distinguish it from most other pines. Much sought after for bonsai and takes many years to achieve the look of a superior specimen. Hardy. Likes sun. Keep outdoors. Potted on a rock slab 15"x9"x1" as shown.

Japanese Red Pine Seeds $2.95 Propagation instructions are included with each packet.

Japanese Five Needle Pine Seeds $2.95 Propagation instructions are included with each packet.

Norfolk Island Pine - Decorated(araucaria heterophila) $35.95 Open and airy conifer (cone bearing) with light green foliage turning darker with age. One of the best known trees from the South Pacific. Will tolerate warm temperatures and does not even object to dryness,although it does not like glaring sunshine. We grow them in groups of three (3) in a pot and trim the branches by hand (thumb and index finger). Comes decorated for the holiday season during the month of December.

Norfolk Island Pine-Medium(Araucaria Heterophila) $24.95 Open and airy conifer (cone bearing) with light green foliage turning darker with age. One of the best known trees from the South Pacific. Will tolerate warm temperatures and does not even object to dryness, although it does not like glaring sunshine. We grow them in groups of three (3) in a pot and trim the branches by hand (thumb and index finger.) Decorates well for any holiday or season. Easy care.

Mugo Pine-Medium (Pinus Mugo valley cushion) $49.95 Dwarf evergreen with dense growth habit. Dark green needles adorn upright branches throughout the year. Slow grower. Hardy to -50 degrees F. Like the Japanese Maples, keep outdoors.8 years old5" - 6" tall

Ceramic Bonsai Pot - Glazed Rectangle $8.95 Glazed rectangle bonsai pot

Ceramic Orchid Bonsai Pot $49.95 Ceramic Orchid Bonsai Pot.

Ceramic Bonsai Pot $17.95 Brown, oval ceramic Bonsai Pot

Ceramic Bonsai Pot - Rectangle Unglazed $39.95 Rectangle unglazed ceramic bonsai pot

Artificial Japanese Cedar Bonsai Tree $24.95 Artificial Japanese Cedar bonsai tree.