What is a Bonsai?
by Jim Robinson, 1977

It is an art form--a living changing art form. It is the art of growing trees to maturity in pots. Bonsai (pronounced bone-sigh) means "pot" or "tray" planting. The art originated in China many centuries ago, but was developed and improved by the Japanese.

Bonsai is not a single kind of plant. Almost any tree or shrub can be trained as a bonsai. Pines, spruces, firs, and junipers are favorite bonsai species for Colorado. Elms, maples, birches, and ginkgoes are excellent deciduous trees for bonsai. Plants with small needles or leaves are the best bonsai prospects. With proper bonsai technique, leaf or needle size will be reduced in time. By this technique, leaves will be in harmony with the small size of the bonsai tree.

Just any tree or shrub in a pot is not a bonsai, however. Carefully calculated steps of root and branch pruning, watering and fertilization, and wiring are required to shape the tree into a miniature likeness of its forest relatives.

Bonsai may be single trees, two trees, a group of three, or a forest with an odd number of trees. Even numbers are not considered to be acceptable form. Form is a basic feature of bonsai. In general, the desired overall shape is triangular with unequal sides.

Bonsai is peace and harmony to the bonsai enthusiast. It is the challenge of developing the changing tree into an ever more beautiful form.