Introduction History Bonsai trees are often thought to have originated from Japan, but records over 2,000 years old show trees being grown in China as part of landscapes planted in shallow containers. Around 1,500 years ago, trees were first grown as individual specimens, many of which would have been collected from mountainous regions, and these can be seen in ancient Chinese line drawings. Several centuries later, the Japanese began growing and training trees in pots and have developed the hobby to its current level of sophistication. Chinese and Japanese bonsai are very different, with Chinese-style trees being more freeform and trained mainly by pruning, while Japanese trees are meticulously groomed and shaped, appearing more natural. The Hobby The growing of bonsai, which literally translates as "plant in a tray," is a truly satisfying hobby and combines both horticulture and art, creating trees that are often referred to as "living sculptures." Above all, it is important that the trees are kept healthy and in excellent condition, as with any potted plant. Pruning and shaping does, however, require a degree of artistic imagination to visualize the future development of the trunk and branches. Bonsai should embody all that is so wonderful about trees that naturally grow in such a variety of shapes and sizes. Large specimen trees, ancient trees with hollow trunks, trees that have been shaped by severe weather conditions or even small forests can all be recreated in the confines of a pot. By growing trees in this way, it is possible to have a mini arboretum of delightful, small trees in your own garden or even on a balcony, however limited in size. The timescale to create impressive bonsai is dependent upon the origin, general health of the tree and the species. Trees grown from seed or cuttings will invariably take longer to attain the images required than much older material, perhaps collected from the wild or obtained as nursery stock. It can be most rewarding to build a collection from a variety of different sources. Actual age, however, is not as important as the illusion of how old the tree appears -- a well-trained bonsai may look far older than it really is. Misconceptions A common misconception about the hobby is that it is cruel, with the trees being starved in order to dwarf them. Nothing could be further from the truth. Bonsai trees require regular watering, feeding and reporting to keep them in optimum health, and in many cases they are actually healthier than their counterparts in the wild, enjoying the same longevity. Some trees in Japan have recorded histories spanning several centuries and are often traditionally passed from generation to generation, keeping them in the same family during their long lifetimes. Root pruning is a widespread horticultural technique, used by many gardeners to produce better root systems on plants grown both in pots and in the garden, and is not just associated with bonsai training. This practice facilitates the growth of a well-developed, compact root system with many fine, fibrous roots that are vital for taking up nutrients, and does not restrict the overall growth. Various branch- and shoot-pruning techniques are the methods by which the tree is dwarfed, in the same way as trimming a hedge keeps it from growing into a line of large trees. Indoor or Outdoor? Many species of tree and woody shrub are suitable for training as bonsai, but if planted in the garden they would grow into full-size specimens -- there is no such thing as a special "bonsai species." Pruning and shaping are required to create and maintain the desired shape and size. Some trees are often used to achieve the appearance of different species; for example, a juniper can look very effective when trained in the image of a pine. Trees that would naturally grow outdoors must not be cultivated indoors, where they cannot flourish and will soon die. Occasionally, outdoor bonsai may be viewed in the house, provided that a cool area is selected and that the duration is no longer than a couple of days. Only tropical species of trees are suitable for growing indoors. Figs, serrissas and pomegranates make particularly good subjects, although even these can benefit from spending the summer months outside. Appreciating Bonsai Bonsai can quickly become an important and very enjoyable part of your life. Do not be afraid to experiment with material -- it is all part of the learning curve. Spend time studying trees at exhibitions and in books to determine what makes them good or bad bonsai specimens. Most trees have faults of some kind and it is important to be able to identify these, but do look beyond individual features and learn to enjoy the actual bonsai tree as a whole unit. Patience is a definite virtue and the process of creating bonsai trees should not be hurried unnecessarily. Good bonsai can be trained in a relatively short space of time, provided that suitable material is selected from the beginning. Some of my trees have not always started out as ideal material, but through perseverance, surprising and satisfying results have been achieved. This is illustrated in this book by prime examples of the many detailed histories of trees drawn from my personal collection of bonsai, which I have had the immense pleasure of growing for many years. Excerpted from Bonsai Life Histories: The Lives of over 50 Bonsai Trees in Photos and Words by Martin Treasure All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.
