Introduction to Yose-Ue (Forest Planting) Bonsai — Golden Rules of Arrangement and Species Selection

# Beginner's Guide to Group Planting Bonsai (Multiple Trees & Forest Landscapes) | Golden Rules of Arrangement and Practical Guide to Species Selection

While single-tree bonsai expresses a single landscape with one tree, "group planting," "multiple-tree composition," and "forest landscape" condense vast natural scenery into a palm-sized pot. These are especially narrative-rich forms of expression in bonsai. Mountain winds crossing ridges, light filtering through forests, the harmony of large and small trees—all of these can be orchestrated in a single pot, which is the greatest charm of group planting bonsai. This article explains in detail the fundamental principles of group planting bonsai, tree species selection, arrangement tips, and actual planting procedures.

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The Charm and Types of Group Planting Bonsai

The "Landscapes" That Group Plantings Can Express While single-tree bonsai makes "one ancient tree" the star, group plantings place "forests," "groves," "shorelines," and "mountainsides" at center stage. When multiple elements are present, the human eye naturally reads depth and space, allowing a small pot to convey a vast landscape.

Representative Styles - **Multiple-tree composition**: A style where multiple trees of the same species are planted together. It has unity and is the most popular form as a forest landscape. - **Group planting**: A style combining different tree species. While this creates landscape variation, it's also more challenging. - **Root-connected form**: A technique where multiple trunks rise as if from a single reclined trunk. - **Multi-trunk form**: A natural tree shape where multiple trunks rise from the base. Technically single-tree bonsai, but shares the aesthetics of group plantings.

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The Golden Rules of Arrangement

There are several universal principles for making group plantings beautiful.

1. Use an Odd Number of Trees Three, five, seven, nine trees—odd numbers are strongly recommended for group plantings. With even numbers, the visual center of gravity becomes uncertain, often resulting in a mechanical appearance. However, four trees is an exception avoided, as in Japan "four" is an inauspicious number due to its sound association with "death."

2. The Roles of Main Tree, Secondary Tree, and Accent Tree Just as in single-tree bonsai, establish a main tree at the center, support it with a secondary tree, and place accent trees to add depth to the landscape. The main tree is thickest and tallest, the secondary tree somewhat thinner, and the accent tree even thinner and shorter—this contrast creates dimensional landscape qualities.

3. Keep a Triangle in Mind The basic approach is to position the main, secondary, and accent trees so that connecting them creates a triangle. Avoid perfect symmetry when viewing from the front; intentionally distort the triangle to evoke naturalness.

4. Incorporate Linear Perspective When you place a thick, tall tree in the foreground and thin, short trees in the background, the eye perceives depth. Rather than simply lining up similarly-sized trees, consciously position "small trees that appear distant" in the background to dramatically expand the scene.

5. Don't Overlap Trunks When viewed from the front, if trunks of front and back trees completely overlap, the composition appears flat. The key principle is to offset them slightly so all trunks remain visible.

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How to Choose Tree Species

Tree Species Suited for Multiple-Tree Composition - **Zelkova**: Its delicate branching and fan-shaped form are ideal for forest landscapes. - **Japanese Maple and Acer species**: Enjoy the beauty of autumn foliage as a group. - **Cryptomeria and Hinoki Cypress**: Their upright forms create coniferous forest scenery. - **Sawtooth Oak and Konara Oak**: Express the mood of mixed deciduous woodland. - **Japanese Five-Needle Pine**: Recreates the weighty presence of a pine forest in a single pot.

Combinations Suited for Mixed-Species Plantings When combining different species, the fundamental rule is that **growing conditions must be similar**. If the trees differ greatly in sunlight needs, watering requirements, or cold tolerance, one will inevitably weaken. Additionally, avoid species with overly distinctive forms (such as cascade-trained trees), as they tend to disrupt group harmony.

Creating Height Variation Using seedlings all of the same height doesn't make a group planting. **Intentionally prepare 2-3 levels of height variation** to create a landscape with perspective. When selecting materials for group planting at a nursery, choose with height differences in mind.

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Practical Planting Procedures

1. Prepare the Pot and Soil Oval or rectangular pots designed for group plantings are used, as well as thin stone slabs or ceramic tiles. Shallow pots better convey a broad, expansive landscape than deep ones. Standard bonsai soil (red volcanic ash-based mixture) works fine.

2. Pot Drains and Securing Wire Place netting over the pot's drainage holes and run securing wire through the bottom to hold the trees in place. With multiple trees, firm fixation is essential—without it, trees will shift during watering, delaying establishment.

3. Test Arrangement Place trees tentatively in the pot with just a thin layer of soil to determine their positions. At this stage, thoroughly consider the main tree's location, distances between trees, and perspective. **Be sure to check from three directions—front, side, and top**.

4. Root Preparation Once the test arrangement is complete, remove the root ball of each tree and gently loosen tangled old roots. In group plantings, tree roots will eventually intertwine, so loosening them initially makes future care easier.

5. Final Planting and Securing Position the trees as decided and firmly secure each one with prepared wire. Fill soil into gaps without voids, using a bamboo stick to pack it down.

6. Thorough Watering and Recovery Immediately after planting, water thoroughly with a fine-spray nozzle until the water runs clear. Then keep the pot in partial shade for about two weeks to allow new roots to establish.

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Management Notes

Water Evenly Across the Entire Pot Because trees are densely packed in group plantings, some areas may dry faster while deep, covered areas become overly wet. Always water the entire pot evenly until water flows from the drainage holes.

Watch for Uneven Light If light comes from only one direction, the outer trees will flourish while inner trees weaken. Regularly rotate the pot to ensure all trees receive even light.

Pruning Prioritizes Group Balance Attempting to shape individual trees to perfection will disrupt overall balance. **View the entire planting as "the silhouette of one large tree"** and prune by removing protruding branches and restraining prominent trunks.

Repot Every 2-3 Years When tree roots intertwine and growth slows, it's time to repot. Since group planting repotting is labor-intensive, plan on replacing them gradually every 2-3 years.

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Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

• Too many trees, cramped appearance: Start with 3-5 trees—a safe approach.
• All trees side-by-side, flat composition: Create depth with front-to-back placement.
• Main tree lacks prominence: Deliberately choose one notably thick and tall tree, and position it near the golden ratio point of the pot.
• Even number of trees, no clear focal point: Consider changing to an odd number.

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Finding Group Planting Materials on Brichoku

On Brichoku, you'll find everything from young saplings suitable for group plantings to already-trained forest landscape bonsai, all carefully cultivated by breeders across Japan. Material selection is said to determine 70% of the final result—making it one of the most important steps in group planting bonsai. With Brichoku, you can buy directly from the people raising these trees, and you can ask sellers about each tree's characteristics and compatibility. This allows you to confidently take that first step toward creating your ideal landscape.

The world of a "small forest" in a single pot—something impossible with single-tree bonsai. Group planting bonsai is a deep genre that expands bonsai's expressive power to new dimensions. Please find your materials on Brichoku and experience the joy of creating landscape with your own hands.