FORMAL UPRIGHT - Chokkan

The formal upright style is a very common form of Bonsai. This style occurs often in nature, especially when the tree is exposed to lots of light and does not face the problem of competing trees.

For this style, tapering of the upright-growing trunk must be clearly visible. The trunk must therefore be thicker at the bottom and must grow increasingly thinner with the height. At about 1/4 of the total length of the trunk, branching should begin. The top of the tree should be formed by a single branch; the trunk should not span the entire height of the tree. Branches are developed with a slight downward slope, with the first main branch trained to either the right or left forward quadrant.

Species: larch, junipers, pines, spruces

SLANTING - Shakan

As a result of the wind blowing in one dominant direction or when a tree is in the shadow and must bend toward the sun, the tree will lean in one direction.

With Bonsai, the leaning style should grow at an angle of about 60 - 80 degrees relative to the ground. The roots are well developed on one side to keep the tree standing. On the side toward which the tree is leaning, the roots are clearly not as well developed. The first branch grows opposite the direction of the tree, in order to balance it. The trunk can be slightly bent or completely straight, but still be thicker at the bottom than at the top. Placed off center in the pot.

Species: Suitable for most species.

CASCADE - Kengai

A tree living in the nature on a steep cliff can bend downward as a result of several factors, like snow or falling rocks.

These factors cause the tree to grow downward. With Bonsai it can be difficult to maintain a downward-growing tree because the direction of growth opposes the tree’s natural tendency to grow upright.

Cascade Bonsai are planted in tall pots. The tree should grow upright for a small distance but then bend downward. The crown of the tree usually grows above the rim of the pot, but the subsequent branches alternate left and right on the outermost curves of the S-shaped trunk. These branchings should grow out horizontally in order to maintain the balance of the tree.

Species: Many species are suited for this style. Exceptions are those that have forcefully upright growth like the Ginkgo.