Chapter 5
All Kinds of Super-mini Bonsai
Although super-mini bonsai are small, they are just like real bonsai in that they allow various types and shapes of tree to be enjoyed. This chapter will help you brush up on the basics of bonsai tree types and forms in order to better understand bonsai and fully appreciate their charm.
Japanese white pine (Pinus parviflora)
Red chokeberry
Juneberry (Amelanchier canadensis)
The single word “bonsai” encompasses many types of tree. Understanding the various characteristics and deepening your knowledge of each tree type will make it easier to grow bonsai in line with your expectations.
Dividing bonsai into four broad categories
Bonsai are broadly divided into four tree types: pinales, small trees, flowering trees and fruiting trees. Generally, pines and other trees which are strongly associated with bonsai fall into the pinale category. Trees other than pinales are “small trees.” Apart from these, there are trees which are appreciated for their flowers or fruit.
TREE TYPE 1 PINALES
Conifers: the best known bonsai
Pines, cedars, Chinese junipers and their ilk are evergreen conifers. As shaping them requires a degree of technique, they are generally suited to intermediate to advanced bonsai practitioners, but their established role as the face of bonsai lends them a high status with much appeal. They are robust and live long. When growing these as super-mini bonsai, gather the seeds from pine cones and grow seedlings.
TYPICAL PINALES
Japanese red pine (Pinus densiflora), Japanese black pine (Pinus thunbergii), cedar, Japanese cypress, Chinese juniper
Japanese white pine (Pinus parviflora)
Deciduous trees other than Pinales
Trees other than Pinales are grouped together as “small trees.” Most are deciduous, with their appeal lying in their changing form and leaf color: they bud in spring, put forth new foliage in early summer, change color in fall and drop their leaves in winter. There are various types which are easy to grow and lend themselves to shaping, making them ideal for beginners.
TYPICAL SMALL TREE
Japanese maple, zelkova, beech, hornbeam, tall stewartia, ivy
Trident maple
Grape
TIDBIT
Non-woody perennials shaped as bonsai
Apart from bonsai made from trees, there are also non-woody bonsai which are made from perennial flowering plants. These non-woody bonsai have a charming simplicity and sweetness. They can be made using one type of flowering plant, and are also attractive when grouped.
A prettily flowering azure bluet (Houstonia caerulea) made into a super-mini bonsai.
TREE TYPE 3 FLOWERING TREES
Flowering bonsai put on a splendid show
These trees are grown for their flowers, and when in bloom they delight with their air of splendor. To ensure that the flowers bloom, do some research in advance to find out when flower buds will form so that you don’t cut them off. Flowering uses up the tree’s energy, so remember to thank it by applying fertilizer to replenish its strength.
TYPICAL FLOWERING TREES
Plum, ornamental cherry, flowering crab apple, Deutzia, Japanese stewartia
Flowering crab apple
Japanese bladdernut (Staphylia)
Lonicera gracilipes (honeysuckle)
TREE TYPE 4 FRUITING TREES
Fruiting bonsai capture fall tastes
There is a wealth of varieties of trees that can be grown for their show of fruit. In order for fruit to form, cross-fertilization is necessary. There are various ways for this to occur, such as monoecious (self) pollination, pollination requiring a partner (dioecious pollination) and hermaphroditic pollination. It’s important to know how to look after the tree once it has finished fruiting as its strength will be depleted.
TYPICAL FRUITING TREES
Fire thorn, hawthorn, crab apple, Japanese winterberry
Fire thorn
Hawthorn
Rockspray cotoneaster
Enjoy the Differences in Tree Form
Tree form describes a tree’s figure and shape. There are basic forms for bonsai that have become established over the art’s long history. The tree forms of super-mini bonsai can be appreciated just as are those of larger bonsai.
Creating tree form—one of bonsai’s greatest pleasures
The difference between bonsai and other pot plants and decorative plants is that bonsai’s branches, leaves and so on are manipulated for ornamental purposes. In other words, it can be said that the greatest enjoyment in the art of bonsai is creating their form.
Tree forms are modeled on those found in nature. In order to achieve this expression in a small pot, wire is wrapped around the trunk, branches are pruned and much time is spent in their creation.
The forms shown here are popular with many people and have become established as “beautiful” over bonsai’s long history. The same forms can be recreated in super-mini bonsai—in fact, forms that take several years to achieve in bigger bonsai can be created in a short amount of time such as half a year to a year in super-mini bonsai. They allow even beginners to experience and enjoy bonsai’s charm—that is, shaping the tree.
Once you know the basics of tree form, it becomes easier to achieve the image you have in mind. Pay a visit to bonsai exhibitions and fairs to see bonsai for yourself and pick up some ideas.
TREE FORM 1 STRAIGHT TRUNK
An excellent choice for evoking a landscape
In this form, a single trunk firmly rooted into the ground stretches skyward. Like a big, solitary tree rising from the top of a hill, it makes a powerful, stately impression. To create this form, choose a type of tree that grows with a straight trunk such as a pine, cedar or other tree from the Pinales family, or a small tree such as a zelkova, and correct the shape so it doesn’t bend by wrapping with wire and pruning. It’s usual to shape the tree so the upper branches are narrower.
TREE TYPES SUITED TO STRAIGHT TRUNK FORMS
Pine, cedar, zelkova etc
Acer palmatum matsumurae
TREE FORM 2 ANGLED TRUNK
A fun challenge in creating balance
This form refers to trees with trunks leaning to the left or right and replicates the form of trees found in nature which grow towards the sun. As supermini bonsai are in small pots, bad overall balance causes them to tip over easily, so create stability by positioning the tree base at the edge of the pot and allowing the leaves to grow densely all around.
TREE TYPES SUITED TO ANGLED TRUNK FORMS
Any type of tree is OK
Cotoneaster
Silver lacevine
Blueberry
TIDBIT
When should I remove the wire?
When creating tree forms, you may wonder about the timing for removing wire from trees that are being shaped. Remove the wire from the top part of the branch and lightly touch it. If it doesn’t shift into a different shape, it means the form is completed and the wire can be removed.
If wire is left wrapped around a tree without ever being removed, it will eat into the branch and leave a scar. It is not easy to get rid of marks on branches, so make sure to regularly check wire in order to avoid scarring.
TREE FORM 3 TWIN-TRUNK
One tree divided into two at the base
In this form, the tree is divided into two different sized trunks at the base. It’s usual to make one trunk large and the other small, with the large one known as the principal trunk and the small one as the deputy trunk. The form closely recalls a parent and child nestling together. If the two trunks are leaning in different directions it will look as if there is something missing in between, so both trunks growing in the same direction is the preferred form.
TREES SUITED TO TWIN-TRUNK FORMS
Any type of tree is OK
Spindle tree (Euonymus fortunei)
TREE FORM 4 THREE-TRUNK
One tree divided into three at the base
In contrast with the twin-trunk form which is divided into two, this form is divided into three. As per the twin-trunk form, each trunk in the three-trunk form is made different in terms of size, volume of foliage and so on.
When shaping the tree, use wire to correct the three trunks so they are all leaning in the same direction.
TREES SUITED TO TREE-TRUNK FORMS
Any type of tree is OK
Trident maple
TREE FORM 5 CLUMP
Multiple trunks growing from a single base
In contrast with twin-trunk and three-trunk forms, the clump form has five or more separate trunks growing from the base. The tallest and thickest is the principal trunk, while the other are known as branch trunks. The key to creating this form lies in striking the right balance between the trunks. The build-up of multiple trunks creates a form evocative of a thicket.
TREES SUITED TO CLUMP FORMS
Any type of tree is OK
Princess pussy willow
TREE FORM 6 INFORMAL UPRIGHT
A thick trunk and branches that wind as they grow
In this form, the trunk and branches wind all around and the thick trunk becomes more and more tapered with height. The winding trunk is called the “bend.” This is one of the most popular bonsai tree forms. While emphasizing the natural curves of the plant, the tree is pruned and corrected with wire to achieve the desired form over time.
TREES SUITED TO INFORMAL UPRIGHT FORMS
Japanese maple, camellia, pine etc
Oleaster
Chinese cork oak
TREE FORM 7 WINDSWEPT
A form flowing in one direction
In this form, the trunk and branches all flow in one direction as if bending before the wind. It expresses the vitality of strong, supple trees that grow on mountain sides and coastlines, buffeted by strong winds.
Trees with slender trunks suit this form, with fine trunks and branch tips stretching in all directions, giving off a feeling of vibrancy.
TREES SUITED TO WINDSWEPT FORMS
Pine, Japanese maple etc
Silverthorn (Eleagnus pungens)
Acer palmatum matsumurae
TREE FORM 8 CASCADE
A form resembling a tree cascading over a cliff
In this form, the trunk and branches spill out to hang lower than the pot itself. Bonsai that hang at about the same level as the rim of the pot are said to be in the semi-cascade style.
The cascade form is created in the image of vigorously growing trees clinging closely to precipitous cliff faces. If the bonsai is not balanced well, it can easily be tipped over, so rather than training the tree to grow in one direction, leave some branches and leaves growing in the opposite direction to the cascading section.
TREES SUITED TO CASCADE FORMS
Pine, Chinese juniper etc
Miyama crab apple
TREE FORM 9 FOREST
Create scenery with five or more trees
This form is created by planting multiple trees in single pot to create the appearance of a wood or forest.
The forest form involves planting several trees of various sizes, grouping their bases together and keeping overall balance in mind. The usual convention is to plant in odd numbers, such as five or seven.
TREES SUITED TO FOREST FORMS
Zelkova, beech, maple
Japanese maple