What type of tree is a Bonsai?
What type of tree is a bonsai? It’s one of those things that generate so much attention. And yet so many people become confused with what it actually is. Many think a bonsai is a particular type of tree, others think that it’s a plant and some just have no idea. If you fall into either of those categories, don’t worry because we’re about to clear it up for you.
So then, what type of tree is a Bonsai?
A bonsai can be almost ANY type of tree. Essentially the whole concept of having a bonsai is trying to make it appear like its fully-grown counterpart (however, just in miniature form).
The history of the bonsai dates back to the 1300’s when these tiny little trees were looked after by priests, aristocrats and high-ranking people. After several hundreds of years, this began to change. More and more common people started growing and taking care of bonsai. It almost turned into a fashion-craze. Japanese artisans had even transformed the art of the bonsai into a form of personal reflection and meditation.
How do they make bonsai trees so small?
The process of nurturing and forming a bonsai is a long one. Right from the beginning, the tree is placed into a small pot or container. It’s here that it’ll spend a large portion of its life. Once the tree starts to develop, it’s essential to use wire to manipulate the branches in order to place them into the desired shape or position. You may even need to bend or cut certain branches. This process isn’t a fast one; it’s something that is delicate and time consuming.
It should also be noted that when growing a bonsai, there is never a stage when you can say it’s ‘finished’, or ‘ready.’ If the tree is still living, you will always need to perform some type of upkeep to ensure the branches and trunk don’t start growing too big.
If you’re wanting to create your own bonsai, then it’s recommended to use a tree species with small leaves or even bristles. This will help keep the ‘image’ of a miniature tree. You may use the following link HERE, which will take you to a website that is dedicated to teaching the art of bonsai (yes, it’s an art!). They cover topics such as choosing the right tree, shaping and styling.
Due to the rather small nature of the bonsai, Treeman Melbourne can’t find any potential safety hazards with it becoming overgrown. If bonsai in general were to become over-grown, we might need to stop focusing on tree removal and move more into bonsai removal!
