This is a brief informal guide of the 100’s of recognized bonsai styles and their Japanese names. Print this page out and use it as a reference when shopping for your own bonsai tree.

1. 

   Formal Upright Chokkan

   Formal Upright / Chokkan
   The Formal Upright / Chokkan Bonsai is the first of seven of the most well-known Bonsai tree styles that follows the perfect ideal of an upright tree where the trunk is straight and gently tapered to the top, and the branches and leaves tend to be well balanced over the trunk.
2. Informal Upright / Moyogi
   The Informal Upright / Moyogi is similar to the first Bonsai tree style, but differs by having a slight curve in the trunk. Even with the slight curve in the trunk, this particular Bonsai design still requires that there be a balance with the trunk and branches of the tree.
3. Slanting or leaning / Shakkan
   The Slanting or Leaning / Shakkan is a Bonsai tree style where the tree will sit at a slant, or where the trunk will lean to one side.
4. Cascade / Kengai
   The Cascade / Kengai Bonsai tree style is where the tree appears to be over water or on the side of a mountain. A perfect Cascade / Kengai Bonsai will have a trunk that turns downward, falling below the pot that it is in. The branches and foliage will then flow with the downward angle of the trunk. In an imperfect or semi-Cascade, the tree will only reach just below the edge of the pot.
5. Raft / Ikadabuki
   The Raft / Ikadabukit tree is one that will be formed to appear as a tree would that had fallen in the forest without breaking at the trunk. When done right, this style of Bonsai will often appear as if there is more than one tree, but it is really a tree that has branches growing from its side.
6. Windswept / Fukinagashi
   The Windswept / Fukinagashi tree will be styled in such a way that it will appear it has been bent in the direction of the prevailing winds, such as would happen with trees near the ocean or on the prairie.
7. Literati / Bunjin
   The Literati / Bunjin style has a trunk that is mostly bare and contorted in an artistic way. The number of branches the tree has is minimal and are found higher up on the trunk of the tree. This Bonsai design is based on the suggestion or idea that the tree is found in a harsh climate where it has to struggle to survive.

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Do You Recognize All These Basic Styles of Bonsai Trees?

Make Your Bonsai Looks Like This With Simple Tips

All new Bonsai tree care requires routine maintenance that pays particular attention to detail. This is one of the reasons that the new Bonsai tree care person must have done some solid planning ahead of time and is committed to patience. New Bonsai tree care is constant and very time consuming.

Before purchasing a Bonsai tree, your climate should be taken into consideration. A tree whose growth and climate zone is a match for your climate will be healthier and will have an easier time. You will also want to make sure that you know your species of tree and that you bring home the right species care pamphlet. While care of individual species will vary, there are three requirements that all trees must have; a good area or pot, soil and water.

When buying a Bonsai tree pot for indoors, it is typical to have a pot that is approximately two thirds the width as the tree is high and the depth of the pot should be at least half the height of the tree. Some care should be put into the pot you purchase for your tree; one that it is ecstatically pleasing to you so that you are not trying to re-pot your tree more than you need to or the tree will become ill.

When buying soil for your tree it must be able to hold moisture and not become compacted. There are special soils that should be purchased when buying a Bonsai tree that are important to new Bonsai tree care. The top soil around a tree, or what you have in a pot, is of vital importance because this is how the tree gets its nutrients. Soils contain special elements and minerals that are balanced for your tree.

For example, some soils contain peat, pine bark and clay aggregate. Discuss the soil needs and your choices with a professional and purchase it when buying a Bonsai tree. Once you have your pot and the right soil, you need to provide your tree with water. It should be noted and kept in mind that two extremes often happen when watering a Bonsai tree, one being over-watering and the second being under-watering.

The results of both of these extremes are the same; a sick or dead tree. Different soils hold water in different ways. Some dry out quickly and others become muddy. With new Bonsai tree care you need to find a medium between the two so that the soil will always remain damp between watering times. Buying a Bonsai tree and new Bonsai tree care go hand in hand and should be well prepared for.

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How To Take Care Of The New Bonsai Tree You’re Buying

Giving a Bonsai tree gift can be a great idea, but it depends on the circumstances and who you are buying the Bonsai tree for. For people who show an interest and are always bringing the subject up, the gift giving idea could be perfect.

Before you purchase the first bonsai, you should find out if the person who is interested really wants to grow and train their own tree, or maintain a tree that is already developed. You will also need to know if they want an inside tree or want an outdoor Bonsai tree.

If they want to grow their own tree, then the Bonsai tree gift might be best if given in the form of a Bonsai starter kit from seed or from a young tree. There are many gift giving ideas for Bonsai starter kits. These come in nice gift containers supplying everything that a person will need to get started.

Given as a Christmas gift, for example, the type of tree might be a spruce or fur. They have special cards for different seasons and occasions to record the age of the tree and all the stages of growth that it goes through. As the need arises, you can add extra tools, soil and new pots as more gift giving ideas.

There are many people who admire a fully developed Bonsai tree. The Bonsai tree gift will suit them if you know that they have the time to look after the tree as well as have a suitable environment to put it in. The Bonsai gift giving idea should not be given in place of a bouquet of flowers. You can’t just water it and forget about it as it will die.

New Bonsai Gift owner

The perfect purchase for a gift giving idea might be a tree type that they do not already have. This will give variety to what they have as well as another challenge to work with. For people who collect Bonsai trees as a work of art, the gift giving idea can become quite expensive but will always be appreciated. In this case, it is important to know the type of tree and its Bonsai design. The receiver will also want to know the name of the grower and designer, the age of the tree and where the tree came from.

Whatever the Bonsai tree gift is, it will be appreciated as a memorable gift giving idea.

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Could Giving Bonsai Trees As A Gift Be A Good Idea?

Buying Your First Bonsai

The web is filled with Bonsai tree history, interactive libraries, Bonsai tree videos that help show you step by step care and how to create bonsai trees for the beginner right up to those who are considered well practiced. Other valuable sources of information found on the web are Bonsai tree forums and Bonsai tree communities. These sites are filled with everyday people who are passionate about the subject of Bonsai trees who are willing to share their personal experiences, successes and failures with other Bonsai trees lovers.

The internet is also one of the best places to find out where not to buy bonsai trees. People will often list stores where they have purchased items from and comment on why the store was good or bad, how helpful the staff of the store was and how knowledgeable the staff was on Bonsai trees. They will discuss costs and overall quality, as well as how one store compares to another. You will quickly learn which stores to avoid and which stores are best to go for your hobby.

One of my favorite places for bonsai in the New England area is Bonsai West. They have a great selection of outdoor cold hardy Korean Hornbeam bonsai.

When first getting into the hobby, taking the time to view the work of other Bonsai artists might be a good idea so that you can get a feeling for the art. Bonsai tree exhibitions are not only a good place to view bonsai tree variety and design, but will often have bonsai professionals who can recommend reputable bonsai stores or shippers where you will have the best chance to buy bonsai trees. There are many that are held in person, but there are also Bonsai tree exhibitions that take place on the internet, in which case you will view pictures and commentary left by other Bonsai tree enthusiasts. Other exhibitions are put on by different horticultural societies. Often these exhibitions will include booths where you can buy tools, literature and other supplies for your bonsai tree. When you find the right place to purchase bonsai trees, you should always be able to find answers to your questions. The sales person should not only know their topic well, but should also be able to direct you to a tree that is within your budget and care capabilities. An expensive tree should not be recommended or desired for someone who is going to purchase a Bonsai tree for the first time. A professional will always recommend a practice tree to start with. If something ill befalls the tree another tree can be bought without the costs being prohibitive.

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Where Should You Buy Your First Bonsai Tree?