In styling a tree of any kind, you take a look at the branches in relation to the trunk. Decide which you wish to keep. To make sure of your decision, cover the branches with a small towel or some paper before you cut them off. If this is too much, cover just a portion of the branch or branches. With this decision made you can better tell how high the tree should be.

Then, if the tree does not do anything for you, lean it to one side or the other to give it movement. If the trunk is too thick to bend, a slant may do the trick. Before you do any cutting though make sure you have the best front. Review this, tipping the tree one way or the other and rotating it to all sides.

You have found the front and the branches you wish to eliminate. If you’re really sure you can begin to eliminate the branches. If doubt exists remove just a bit of the branches at a time. All trees must have a nice profile, but a good profile does not mean a solid outline. To give movement to even a formal upright the branches cannot all be the same length, they must go in and out. Vacant spaces between layers are essential, voids are just as important as masses of foliage in a composition, they make the tree believable.

Another problem that may arise is the occurrence of forked branches. One side or the other must be shortened to avoid swelling at the junction. This will also allow the branch that is not shortened to enlarge over time compared to the branch that is cut. If this does not help then one of the side shoots must be removed.

All the time you work on a tree you must think 5 to 10 years ahead as to what it will look like. Also remember that if a mistake is made, another part of a different branch may be directed in the space, or a back branch can be moved to give distance and fill the void.

In most trees you will find that back branching will occur and these can be bent to fill in an erroneously removed branch. Making a bonsai is a traveling experience and should be an enjoyable learning experience as well. And more often than you think, time will heal mistakes or change them for the better.

Sometimes you just have to take a gamble. Nothing in life is assured, but we improve by observing and learning to do better.

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