Many people think of Bonsai in only one manner, a small plant that looks like a tree.
 However, there is much more to Bonsai Trees than meets the eye.
It is important to realize that a Bonsai Tree isn't a genetically dwarfed species but instead is a tree that if found in nature would be of full height.
 In some cases, these trees may grow over 100 feet.
But because of techniques developed over centuries it is possible to keep these trees a fraction of their normal size.
Also, Bonsai Trees are just not created in one style.
 The best specimens have been carefully planned and trained to grow to their exact appearance.
 These people who have dedicated years to creating these beautiful trees are often referred to as artists.
 They are sculptors of living, growing statues.
For the beginner we can break down the types of Bonsai Trees into 5 major categories (though there are more complicated style possibilities).
 They are:     -        Formal Upright -        Informal Upright -        Slanting Style -        Semi-Cascade Style -        Cascade Style   Formal Upright The Formal Upright style is considered a replication of a tree that has grown in the perfect settings under perfect conditions.
To be considered as a "Formal Upright" a Bonsai Tree must meet certain requirements.
1.
      It must have a balanced and even tapering trunk, from the base to the top 2.
      The tree's trunk must be a straight vertical line 3.
      Viewed from the front, the tree's branches must grow in this pattern:

a.
       The lowest branch is the longest branch b.
      The second branch up on the trunk is directly on the opposite side from the first branch and is slightly shorter c.
       The third branch is directly above the first branch and is slightly shorter than the second branch d.
      The forth branch is directly above the second branch and is slightly shorter than the third branch e.
       ...
and so on until the top of the tree narrows to a point

Even though it has a very simple look, it is actually a very demanding style to properly achieve.
Informal Upright This is a much more relaxed style than the Formal Upright.
 It is meant to resemble a tree that has grown in a typical setting where wind, light and other trees play a factor.
A typical Informal Upright Bonsai Tree will have the following requirements ·        It will have a tapering trunk and be wider at the base than the top ·        It will typically have a bend, or "S" shape in the trunk ·        The top (or apex) will be centered, or close to centered, above the base of the trunk   Slanting Style This type of Bonsai Tree is again, a fairly simple style to achieve.
 It represents a tree that at a very young age had to seek out sunlight.
A Slanting Style Bonsai Tree will have the following requirements ·        It will have a tapering trunk ·        The trunk can be either straight or have a curve ·        The tree must lean to either the left or the right ·        The top(or peak) of the tree must not be centered over the base of the trunk   Semi-Cascade Style This type of Bonsai Tree takes a different route from the last three styles.
 In this particular style we try drape the tree over the edge of the pot and off to either the left or right of the pot.
The Semi-Cascade Style will have the following requirements ·        The peak of the tree extends beyond the edge of the Bonsai Pot either to the left or the right ·        The tree dips over the edge of the pot but does not drop below the base of the pot ·        The trunk grows in a basic horizontal direction versus the typical vertical style It is important to note these types of Bonsai Trees, as well as the Cascade Style, require deeper pots to help as counter-balance to keep the tree from tipping over.
Cascade Style This type of Bonsai Tree is a continuation of the previous style.
 But where the peak of the Semi-Cascade Bonsai Tree did not drop below the base of the pot, it is our intention to make the peak of the Cascade Bonsai drop significantly below the Bonsai Pot.
The Cascade Style will have the following requirements ·        The trunk must taper from base to peak ·        The peak must be below the base of the Bonsai Pot ·        The trunk should be centered in the pot As a beginner to Bonsai these are the 5 types of Bonsai Trees that are best to study.
 If you would like to see pictures of these styles and learn more about bonsai please download our free ebook.