Bonsai Shaping: Art and Science
The shape of a bonsai tree is what sets it apart from other plants. 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. 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.
Informal and Formal Upright: Both of these styles are also well known among the various bonsai shapes. These trees are coaxed into an upright stance and feature an elegantly tapered trunk. The informal style features the well-known curves and bends which distinguish it from the formal shape.
Slanting: This style starts out the same as the formal upright shape with its straight trunk. The only difference is that the trunk slants at an angle, either to the right or left of the base.
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. But you won’t see four trees used in the same container, because the number four has certain connotations in Japan.
Cascade: This is one of the most distinctive shapes among bonsai plants. This style resembles a tree growing on the mountain or gracefully dipping its branches over the water. 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. 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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