Gardening: What trees and shrubs work as bonsai trees? You might be surprised

Bonsai is an art form that stems from ancient Asian culture, originating in China and developed by the Japanese. In the 13th century, the Japanese collected and potted wild trees that had been dwarfed by nature. These naturally formed miniature trees were some of the first bonsai.

A bonsai is literally a “tree in a pot,” which is a miniature imitation of an old tree in nature. Old dwarf tree specimens in nature, unlike juvenile trees, have compact rounded tops and horizontal or drooping branches, which makes these specimens appear aged and graceful. There are three sizes of bonsai, ranging from under 5 inches to about 30 inches in height.

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The Columbus Bonsai Show

This graceful mashup of art and horticulture will be on display at the Columbus Bonsai Society’s 50th Annual Bonsai Show scheduled for Sept. 24-25 at the Dawes Arboretum near Newark. The Bonsai Show will feature exhibits of scores of these tiny horticultural treasures, workshops led by prominent bonsai artists from around the United States, vendors selling bonsai plants and supplies, and activities for youth and adults. Details about the show including a schedule of events can be found at: https://columbusbonsai.org/2022-cbs-show/#Overview

Plants suitable for bonsai

Several species of trees and shrubs are suitable for traditional bonsai. Specialty nurseries often have a wide selection of dwarf and semi-dwarf varieties of many species. Dwarf plants, however, do not always look exactly the same as their full-size counterparts because their growth habits are quite different. Some trees and shrubs that work well as bonsai are azalea, beech, boxwood, ginkgo, maple, oak, pine, wisteria and zelkova.

A complete list of specific varieties of different species of trees and shrubs that are suitable for bonsai can be found here: go.osu.edu/bonsaiplantguide.

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Bonsai styles

Bonsai can be classified into 10 basic styles, of which the most common are: formal upright, informal upright, slanting, cascade and semi-cascade. These classifications are based on the overall shape of the tree or shrub and how much the trunk slants away from an imaginary vertical axis.

Formal upright: This style is considered to be easy for the novice bonsai grower. This style features a straight trunk and a bottom branch that is lower and extends farther from the trunk than the opposite branch.

Informal upright: This style may be the best choice for beginners because creation of this type teaches the most about bonsai design. The trunk is upright, but curving rather than straight, usually forming a zig-zag pyramidal shape. Major branches occur at the angles where the trunk bends, and the apex is aligned over the base of the trunk regardless of the directional shifts in the trunk. Achieving the alignment of trunk base and apex makes the tree asymmetrically balanced.

Slanting: This style features a trunk with a single more acute angle than in the informal upright style. The lowest branch spreads in a direction opposite to that in which the tree slants.

Cascade: This style of bonsai represents a natural tree growing down the face of an embankment. A cascaded planting usually looks best in a deep round or hexagonal container.

Semi-cascade: This style has a curving trunk that does not reach the bottom of the container as in the cascade style. Prostrate junipers and flowering plants adapt well to both cascade and semi-cascade styles.

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If you go

The Dawes Arboretum is a large garden estate only a short drive from Downtown Columbus. The grounds contain a variety of natural settings for visitors to enjoy including a Japanese garden, topiary garden, and natural Ohio forests. Miles of walking trails through the arboretum offer visitors an opportunity to appreciate numerous rare species and cultivars of trees.

The Bonsai Show will be located near the visitors center at the main entrance of the arboretum. Bonsai tree exhibits, raffles, vendors and workshops/demonstrations will be housed near the visitors center.

Admission to the Bonsai Show is included in the arboretum admission price of $10, or $5 for children. Dawes Arboretum is located at 7770 Jackson Road, Newark.