FoBBS - Styling Guide

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Bonsai Care

Styling Guide

One of the greatest pleasures in bonsai is styling your own tree from raw material to create the image of a full size tree in miniature.

The success of your efforts will be dependant on the tree images you have in mind. However, there are some simple guidelines to help produce a convincing effect.

Firstly there can be no substitute for using quality material; an important factor to achieve a superior end result.

Choose a plant that is healthy and has some taper and interesting curves from the base of the trunk to the top. See tree styles .

Select the front of the tree, that viewing angle which shows the trunk to best effect.

Styling by trimming

Branches are selected so that they grow out from all sides of the trunk without being over shadowed by the branch above. Branches should also have taper from inside to out

Styling is one of those techniques that is better taught, and currently UK and Europe boast some excellent bonsai artists who can provide classes. Alternatively, your local bonsai club will have someone who can explain the techniques

Styles

Here are graphic representations of typical tree styles that you may see in nature. The best way to become familiar with these is through observing naturally ocurring tree forms or other bonsai.