Tips for Choosing Bonsai Plant and Tree Material
A Crab Apple bonsai Tree - Only 13 cm tall
As a future bonsai master, you will be able to choose from a large variety of tree species, bonsai plant, and tree material from which to create your bonsai. But remember, merely planting a suitable tree in a pot does not make a bonsai. Not by a long shot. There are very specific attributes of potential bonsai trees that you want to look for when choosing your tree.
As you begin your search for a suitable tree for bonsai you will want to ask yourself 1) will you be growing indoors or outdoors? and 2) what will be the style of bonsai that you will be creating? Not all varieties of trees are suitable for both indoor and outdoor growing, nor do all varieties lend themselves to all of the traditional bonsai styles. A few traditional varieties of coniferous trees that you may want consider include the Japanese black pine, the cedar, the larch, and the juniper bonsai. Traditional deciduous trees include the Chinese elm, the Japanese maple, and the ficus.
There are certain qualities that you will want to look for in a tree without regard to growing location or style. Here is a list of those qualities required for a superior bonsai:
- Choose a tree with a good root base and many fine, hairy roots. The root base is the part of the root system that is often exposed on the surface of the soil. The ideal root base will have strong, vigorous, and shallow surface roots that extend outward evenly.
- Choose a tree that has a good looking trunk base, free from cuts and scars. The trunk base is that part of the tree trunk between the root base and the first branches. The appearance and structure of the trunk base may determine your bonsai’s style, or alternatively, the style of bonsai that you have chosen may determine the the appearance of the tree’s trunk base that you hope to find.
- Choose a tree with what appears to be “aged bark” and a round trunk. A round trunk will usually have a better root base. A good trunk must also taper from large at the base to narrow at the top.
- Choose trees with branches that are well positioned: spiralling evenly upward and spaced evenly apart. If the lower branches are thicker and the upper branches are finer and more delicate, it will create the illusion of a massive tree.
- Choose a tree with good quality foliage, whether it be a deciduous tree or an evergreen variety.
- Avoid trees with any indication or symptoms of insect damage.
Trees and plants that are suitable for bonsai can be found at most outdoor garden stores, and sometimes even at your local grocery store, although generally I would suggest you stay away from grocery store bonsai plant material. You can also cultivate, propagate, or collect your own bonsai stock. For example you can force roots from cuttings from trees found in your own back yard. Or you can cut and graft from plants in your yard that you will then be developing into bonsai. You will still want to adhere to the above guidelines to ensure that you start with the best quality tree material which will ultimately provide you with the most beautiful and satisfying bonsai results.
A good beginner plant would be the juniper bonsai. Getting started in bonsai does not have to be expensive and should be within the reach of anyone with a desire to participate into this extraordinary and satisfying hobby. With a few dollars, and a really good guide book that teaches the art and techniques of bonsai, you can be on your way to becoming a bonsai master and create your very own living work of art. A great resource that I can highly recommend is Ruth Morgan’s eBook Beautiful Bonsai Secrets.
