The Shape of a Bonsai Tree

!#99# The Shape of a Bonsai Tree

One of the main characteristics of a bonsai tree is the shape of it. A bonsai tree can take on a special art form with its unique style and shape. Each person will have their own option of how they choose to shape their bonsai tree as it grows. A bonsai tree can be shaped in many interesting ways including popular forms such as literati, formal and informal upright, slanting, forest and cascading. There are other styles of trees that you can try once you learn the basics. Literati style is known to be the most common shape of a bonsai tree. It has a bare trunk with very little branches. The branches of this style are close to the top of the tree and the bottom of the tree has a twisted shape. The formal and informal upright style offers a different shape. These styles are another common approach to bonsai shaping. They have a tapered trunk in a straight upright position. The informal style of this tree has bends and curves in the tree unlike the formal shape that makes it different looking.

The slanting shape of the bonsai tree is like the formal upright shape because of its straight trunk. The difference in the slanting bonsai tree is that the trunk has a slant going one way or the other near the base of the tree. The forest style of the bonsai tree is created by placing several bonsai trees in one area or container. This is an advanced style of bonsai gardening. You can have bonsai trees of different heights with this style to give the grouping a special affect. Most people use around three trees in a container to make the shape of a forest.

One of the most appealing shapes of the bonsai tree is the cascade form. This shape resembles the trees in the mountains or over bodies of water. They look very attractive shaped in the cascade style. These are some of the most used styles and shapes of the bonsai tree. There are other styles to try if you prefer something out of the norm. Starting out with a common style is a good idea if you are doing this for the first time to understand better how it is done. When you successfully master the common styles of these bonsai you can move on to try other styles.

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