Bonsai are kept small and trained by pruning branches and roots, by periodic repotting, by pinching off new growth, and by wiring the branches and trunk so that they grow into the desired shape.

 Most bonsai range in height from 5 centimeters to 1 meter .

 The bonsai with its container and soil, physically independent of the earth since its roots are not planted in it, is a separate entity, complete in itself, yet part of nature. This is what is meant by the expression "heaven and earth in one container".

 Given proper care, bonsai can live for hundreds of years.

 In fact, given an adequate supply of water, air, light and nutrients, a properly maintained bonsai should outlive a full size tree of the same species.

 It is important that the tree produce the artistic effect desired, that it be in proper proportion to the appropriate container, and that it be in good health.

 Grown in special containers, bonsai are primarily kept outdoors.

 There should a greater mass of foliage behind the tree than in front of it to create a sense of depth.

 The tree should be 3-dimensional, it should not appear flat when viewed from the side.

 The tree should not appear to lean backwards; informal forms should have an apex that leans forward.

 Roots should run flat along the surface of the compost and not be raised out of the compost .Roots spread should reflect the form of the tree and appear to anchor the tree firmly into the compost; for trees with upright forms the roots should radiate evenly from around the base of the trunk, for slanting forms or cascades the roots should appear stronger on the opposite side of the trunk to the direction of lean.

 The trunk must taper from its thinnest point at the apex to its widest point at its base. It is preferable for the trunk to taper as gradually as possible.

Half to two-thirds of the trunk should be visible from the front to reveal the structure of the trunk.

 Branches normally commence around one-third to half the height of the tree.

 The first branch should be the thickest with the branches thinning in diameter as they progress towards the apex.

 The first branch should point towards the left or the right when the tree is viewed from the front.

 No branch should lie directly above another.

 No branch should cross another.

All branches should exhibit taper from trunk to tip.

 All branches should be shaped similarly to each other and should reflect the movement in the trunk.

 Only branches in the top third of the tree should point directly forwards, towards the viewer.

 No two branches should appear from the same place on the trunk.

 No two branches should appear to be at the same height.

 No branches should cross the trunk as seen from the front.

 The trees' outline should be roughly triangular.

 Depending on individual species the apex should be triangular or rounded but not pointed.

 This triangular shape should not be symmetrical.

 Dead or diseased leaves should be removed. No insects or cobwebs should be visible on the tree.

 All leaves should be of similar size;        overlarge leaves should be removed.

 All flowers or fruit should be free of blemishes.

 Pots should be clean and undamaged.

 The colour of the pot should not clash with the dominant colour of the tree.

 Glazed pots are generally considered better for deciduous species whilst unglazed pots are generally used for coniferous trees.

 Antique pots should be used for old trees, new pots should be used for younger trees.

 Ornate pots are more suitable for flowering and fruiting trees or mame bonsai.

 The tree should not be planted centrally in the pot except when a round or square pot is used.

 A tree leaning to the right should be planted left of centre so its centre of gravity is above the middle of the pot.

 The tree should be planted slightly toward the back of the pot.

 The tree should be planted above the surface of the compost, which should slowly fall away in height to the edges of the pot.

 The surface should be kept free of weeds and debris from the tree; old leaves and flowers for instance.

 The compost surface should not be plain, gravel or mosses can be used to great effect.

 There should not be an even number of stems or trunks.

 Multi-trunked trees should have all their stems rising from ground level and not from part way up the trunk.

 All stems should emerge from the surface of the compost closely and gradually diverge as they ascend.

 All stems or trunks should have a similar form.

 The thickness of individual trunks or stems should be in proportion to their heights.

Multi-tree plantings:

All trunks should be visible from the front and the side.