INFORMAL UPRIGHT STYLE BONSAI

I. GENERAL

A. The informal upright style bonsai is one of several styles having relatively upright trunks.

B.  The informal  upright style bonsai is the most common style in which trees are designed. It imparts gentle rhythmic movement,  balance and grace.

II. INFORMAL UPRIGHT STYLE BONSAI DEFINED

A. An informal  upright style bonsai is:

1.  One in which the trunk emerges from the soil at an angle, curves one or more times between the base and the apex, and has an apex which is above its base when viewed from the front.

2.  The most popular shape of bonsai, especially for pine, juniper, oak and other conifers. It is also a good style for pomegranate, maple, plum and apple.

B. Trunk

1.  As seen from the front, has a curved trunk which is curved enough to be interesting, but not exaggerated.

2.  Tapered from a wide base to a narrow apex. C. Branches

1.  Angle downward at varying degrees below the horizontal to give the appearance of age.

2.  Are curved (serpentine) to complement the style of the trunk.

3.  Side branches are usually on the outside of a curve of the trunk.

4.  Apex is above the base of the trunk.

D.  Container

1. Rectangular or oval.

2. Glazed or unglazed depending on species of tree.

III. STYLING THE TREE

A. Roots

1.  Remove surface soil down to the relatively thick radiating roots.

2.  Surface roots should radiate in several directions but be strongest on the side away from the direction in which the  lower trunk leans. Wire and reposition roots as necessary.

B. Trunk

1.  Study the shape, curvature, defects, branch location and visual  movement of the trunk and decide upon the front to be used in styling the tree.

2.  Adjust angle at which the trunk emerges from the soil so that it rises at about a 25 to 35 degree angle from the soil to the first branch.

3.  The first curve should bend in the direction opposite from which the lower trunk leans. If at ground level the trunk leans toward the left, the first curve should bend back toward the right to reestablish the tree’s balance.

4.  The radius of the curves should become less higher up on the trunk. Movement should be graceful and not monotonous.

C. Branches

1.   The lowest branch is the heaviest branch, projects either to the left or to the right when viewing the tree from the front, never goes towards the rear or front and is about one third the way up the tree.

2.   The second lowest branch is the second heaviest branch, extends either to the side opposite the lowest branch, or to the rear of the tree, and is not a bar branch.

3.  The third lowest branch is the third heaviest branch, extends to the rear or to the opposite side from that of the lowest branch, depending on placement of the second branch, and again avoids being a bar branch.

4.   Create an apex either from an existing apex or by removing the old apex and by wiring a front branch upright.

5.  Identify and style the remaining branches between the lower three and the apex.

IV. POTTING THE TREE

A. Prepare the correct size and style container and assemble the appropriate soil mix. Generally an oval or rectangular container is best.

B.  Decide on the tree’s location in the pot.

1.  Position it in the container to the rear of the center line and either left or right of the center.

2.  In deciding whether to place it to the left or to the right consider the location of the lowest branch which is usually the longest branch. An alternate consideration may be the selecting the most massive side of the tree rather than the lowest branch.

3.  If the longest branch or most massive side is on the right, position the tree to the left of center. Vice versa if the longest branch or most massive side is on the left.

C.  Remove soil and roots from the rear and from the left or right side depending on placement.

Note:  Details  on  potting  are  discussed  in  the  chapter  on  formal upright  style  bonsai  and  will  not  be  repeated  here.