Small is beautiful—it’s a mantra that many people are adopting today, and it can be applied to any area of our life, including Christmas.Tiny Christmas trees are in vogue. And if you’re going for a small tree, why not make it a bonsai (pronounced “bōn-sī”)? These living, artistic crafts grow for years and bring a fresh look and trend to the holidays!
What is a Bonsai Tree?
The art of keeping bonsai trees dates back thousands of years in China, although it later spread and gained popularity in Japan. Contrary to popular belief, bonsai’s are not a specific type of tree. Rather, it’s a style of horticulture, where you train a regular tree or shrub into a small size. The end result is a compelling tree that looks old because of its bark and trunk but remains tiny, as though it belonged to some magical, miniature world.
Which Bonsai Trees Stay Small?
Bonsai trees are just ordinary trees and shrubs. Sometimes they’re specific dwarf varieties, but not always. They’ve just been trained through pruning to remain small and directed with wiring to grow into intriguing shapes. You can train almost any shrub or tree species into a bonsai size. Some popular bonsai trees include ficus, jade plants, Chinese elms, and junipers.
Can Christmas Trees Be Bonsai?
A normal Christmas tree is usually upwards of 7 feet tall and has been cut from its roots. Obviously, you’re not going to prune one of these trees into a bonsai size. You may find a small, evergreen sapling which could be trained into a bonsai Christmas tree; you’d have to shape it by trimming and wiring it into the style and size you desire.
Outdoor Vs. Indoor Bonsai Trees
Not every bonsai tree should be kept inside the whole year. The plants that are hardy to our growing region in Illinois need a period of cold during the winter. However, some of these plants won’t be too disturbed if you bring them in for the holidays. Tropical plants, which includes most of our houseplants, can and need to be inside during the winter. Ask the experts at our local nurseries if you’re wondering what conditions your bonsai needs.
Tips for Training a Bonsai Tree
- Expose sections of the trunk with pruning to create the characteristic bonsai look.
- Prune the leaves, so they have different tiers or levels.
- Wire the branches to emphasize the different tiers. When it’s time to remove the wires (usually after six months), clip them away, rather than unwrapping them, to avoid breaking the branch. Wiring also gives them the iconic wind-swept look.
- Prune the roots when you repot the plant. But when you do, remember to prune some of the top growth away as well to compensate.
- To give it a very bonsai-like look, expose some of the top roots into view and arrange them around rocks or moss.
Christmas Bonsai
Celebrate the beauty of Christmas with a bonsai Christmas tree; it draws on a humble approach to the holidays but takes it in a new artistic direction. By merging our traditions with an ancient horticultural craft, the Christmas bonsai tree offers something that’s uniquely beautiful and perfect for small ornaments. They can become our companions for decades and even centuries!
Platt Hill Nursery is Chicago’s premier garden center and nursery in the Chicagoland area.