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I. GENERAL

A. The broom style bonsai appears as a juvenile deciduous tree in nature. They are usually found in locations protected from harsh  environments.

B.  The broom style bonsai is one of several styles which have relatively upright trunks. It is a variation of the formal  upright  style bonsai.

II. BROOM STYLE BONSAI DEFINED

A. A broom style bonsai:

1.  Has a straight, vertical trunk with a foliage mass like an  upturned broom.


2.  In both bonsai and in nature, this style is usually created from deciduous trees. Zelkova and Chinese elm species make good broom style bonsai.
B. Trunk

1.  Is absolutely straight when seen from the front and usually is vertical without any slanting or leaning.

2.  It may have one of several configurations.

                 Single  trunk               Split  trunk             Multiple   trunks
 

3.  Surface roots radiate fairly evenly in several directions.

C.  Branches

1.  Subdivide into a fine tracery, reduce in diameter, and incline from the vertical as they approach the perimeter of the foliage mass.
2.  Branch distribution is secondary to the overall effect.
3.  Dead branches do exist on broom style trees in nature, but are not advisable on bonsai. This style is attempting to portray a smooth, rounded, soft profile; a dead branch would be counter to this.

         D. The container is usually round or oval and shallow to emphasize  the trunk.


III. STYLING THE TREE

A. Roots

1.  Several earth-clinging surface roots should be visible from the front. None should come directly toward the front of the tree. The location of roots may be adjusted by wiring and bending them as is done with branches.

2.  Should be well established because of the size of the foliage mass in relation to the trunk diameter. A poor root formation would make the tree appear unstable.

B. Trunk

1.  Select straight trunk plant material with thickness ranging from 1/2 for miniatures to 3 - 4 in diameter for larger bonsai.

2.  With a healthy tree and in the early spring, decide on the final overall height which the bonsai will be allowed to attain. Then stump it (cut it off) to about a third of its proposed height. New branches will begin to grow from the stumped area.

C. Branches

1.  Tightly wrap the upper portion of the trunk with raffia or  monofilament binding material to prevent
unsightly bulging as new branches develop. Remove the wrapping after 1 - 2 years.

2.   As the new branches begin to develop, select 3 - 5 as the new leaders and remove the rest.

3.   Wire or tie these new leaders so they are at a 30 - 45 degree angle from the vertical.

4.  During the first year of training allow relatively free growth in order to develop girth on the new leaders.

 5.  The following spring and prior to the leaves emerging, prune to reduce the length of the new leaders to only 2
- 5 internodes, depending on the height of the tree and the length  of the internodes. Another rule of thumb would be to cut the leaders back so they are the same length as the main trunk.

6.  Remove buds facing a direction in which branches are not wanted, especially those growing in towards the center of the tree. Branches may come towards the viewer, but should not overly obscure the trunk line.

7.  Periodically thin the foliage mass to allow light into the tree and to keep the branches healthy.

8.  The process of leader and branch training takes several growing seasons before the tree appears to be an acceptable broom style bonsai.

9.  An alternative method of developing branches is to begin with a seedling.

a.  Tie the seedling to a straight stick to insure development of a straight trunk.

b.   At the beginning of the second growing season, stump it at about a third of its intended ultimate height.

c.   Allow the top three buds to develop, preferably at different levels and in different directions. These will be the leaders in the apex of the future bonsai.

d.  Prune to stop vertical growth of the leaders when they are about the same length as the major trunk below.

e.   Develop shape and ramification by pruning and wiring.

 
IV. POTTING THE TREE

A. Prepare the correct size and style container

1.  Generally a round or oval shallow container is best.

2.  Its depth should be between 1 and 2 times the diameter of the trunk at its base.

3.   Container may be a slab.

B.  Decide on the tree’s location in the pot. The base of the trunk may be sightly off-center to the rear and to the left or right of center, or closer to the center depending on branch location and visual mass.

C.  Prepare appropriate soil mix.

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