Elements

In the art of bonsai, one is not restricted in the choice of tree to be used. Nor are there any hard and fast rules that must be strictly followed if bonsai is only being practiced as a pastime. However, there are certain elements that are inherent to doing it well.

Remember that bonsai is about the tree, the pot and their resulting harmony. To guarantee beauty, choose a tree trunk that tapers well since a bad trunk ruins everything. It is ideal if the roots are visible at the soil level.

A bonsai must have branches that are larger at the bottom than at the top, and the branches located around the top area should be clustered closer together.

A bonsai should look like a small tree. As such, make sure you leave spaces in between branches, since that is a characteristic of a traditional tree. Lastly, feel free to make use of dead wood to make your bonsai look older.