Bonsai progressions
What better way to learn than to look at how experts prune and wire Bonsai trees? In the progressions part of this website several examples of young trees and nursery stock being trained can be found, as well as some interesting background information.
Select your topic of interest below in the list of articles.
Hawthorn double trunk Bonsai style progression
This case study shows the collection of a Hawthorn tree and its training as a double-trunk style Bonsai. After being spotted the tree was chopped back significantly and left to recover. About a year later the tree responded well and started growing strongly again. In order to force the tree to grow a dens root-system a trench was dug around the tree, cutting through its thickest roots.
Picture 1: The original tree.
Picture 2: Almost two years after its discovery the tree was finally dug out and planted in a terracotta pot. The tree was now regularly pruned in order to develop a fine branch-structure.
Hawthorn progression into a Bonsai tree
This case study shows the training of a Hawthorn after being collected from a forest. The trunk was very straight, had no branching and had little going for it other than some quite mature bark. The tree was planted into a shallow terracotta container and left to recover.
The first picture shows the hawthorn, around 3 meter (10ft) tall, which was collected from the forest.
The second picture is taken about one year and a half later, the trunk was cut back to 12 cm (4’’) and a short, hollow trunk was created.
Hawthorn raft style Bonsai tree
This case study shows a Hawthorn found in a forest and trained into a raft-style Bonsai tree. Instead of digging the tree out after being found, it was initially chopped back and left to recover in the forest. About a year later the tree was found in a bad condition after being run over by a car; the root system was seriously damaged.
Picture one shows the tree after it was dug out and planted into pure sphagnum moss (with its pot left soaking in a shallow tray of water). A few months later, when the tree started growing again, it was planted in a container.
Training an elm Bonsai tree
This progression shows an Elm tree being pruned and repotted. This Elm is 5 years old and was planted in a large pot so the root system could develop well, and the trunk could grow thicker.
The first picture shows the original plant.
Picture two shows the Elm after its pruning. Some branches have been removed completely.
Picture three: The Elm out of its pot, the roots have been trimmed to encourage the tree to grow a more compact root system.
Training a juniper Bonsai tree
This progression shows the pruning and wiring of a Juniper tree.
Picture 1: The tree before its styling.
Picture 2: The trunk has been wrapped with raffia, to protect the bark from the thick wires required to bend the trunk. The wires should remain for at least a year to help the trunk settle in its new shape. Also the branches have been bended to roughly make up the intended shape. Future stylings will be necessary to refine the shape.
Bonsai progression: training a fir tree
In this case study a Fir is pinched and wired. The tree was bought as a nursery stock and pruned back a year before the first picture was taken. The tree was also repotted into a small container, helping it to adjust to a smaller pot.
Picture 1: The tree after its first styling, the tree now needs at least a year to recover fully.
Picture 2: The tree has been wired, and planted in a round, blue pot. The branches will need several months to regain strength again.
Juniper literati progression
A case study of a Juniper being trained into a Literati Bonsai. The tree was bought as nursery stock and was styled in one session.
Picture 1: The nursery stock, a healthy tree planted in a large plastic pot.
Picture 2: The tree after being trained, it looks very natural. After its styling (mostly wiring and pruning) the tree was repotted into a smaller, round pot to accentuate the tree's length. Some branches have been Jinned to make the tree look older.