The Juniper Bonsai Tree

Juniper bonsai is perhaps the most recognized species used to create these “little trees”. Although used for centuries by bonsai artists and hobbyists, it was made popular with the general public through a movie.

Junipers quickly became known as "The Karate Kid" bonsai.

Pines have been venerated for hundreds of years in the Orient.

Junipers often have the look of pine trees.

So it's not surprising so many people use them.

As a young nursery stock plant, Glenn Hilton and the late Joe Samuels planted the juniper (shown here on the right) in the ground and let it grow.

As it got taller, they wrapped the trunk around a steel rod.

As the trunk aged, curves developed.

Glenn continued training the tree, carved out the jin and shari (dead wood) and treated it with lime sulfur.

Although still a work in progress, this is how it looked when displayed at a Bonsai Society of Miami exhibit.

Photo by Bob Hulnick

The juniper bonsai shown above is an example of a large bonsai. The plant shown here was begun from nursery stock by David Baruch, an experienced Florida stylist.

The temporary wire tie-downs assist positioning of the branches. The jins (dead wood) were purposely created to give a natural appearance of age. And they do!

This bonsai is proof they don't have to be big to be beautiful. (Height under 12 inches.)

Photo by Bob Yahrling

This amazing collected California juniper is on display at the National Arboretum Bonsai and Penjing Museum in Washington, D.C.

A Special Technique

The Japanese word tanuki is used to describe what many refer to as phoenix graft.

“Regardless of their name, the process in their creation is basically the same. A large and interesting piece of dead wood is used as the centerpiece in the planting.

A die grinder or dremel tool is fitted with a router bit and used to inscribe a groove in the deadwood and then a young leggy plant (most often a juniper) is nailed, screwed or otherwise affixed in the groove.”

- Randy Clark

Finding the perfect combination of tree and dead wood is not as easy as you may think.

Mike Sullivan, a South Florida bonsai artist, created this tanuki from a small juniper and a piece of dead buttonwood (not his.)

To find a tree like this in nature, you would have to climb mountains!

A Juniper Bonsai Story

Don't miss the ongoing efforts of one bonsai artist to perfect a wonderful juniper bonsai. It all started with a juniper in a nursery pot!

See a "Juniper Styling from the Beginning" page!

"Mall Trees"

Novices are often attracted to full, bushy, less stylized plants.

In the bonsai world these trees are referred to as “mall trees”, “instant bonsai” and a few other more derogatory terms.

However, many of us, who study bonsai or at least enjoy it as a hobby, began with one of these "mall trees"! Many were gifts.

Therefore, I prefer to call them introductory bonsai.

Lots of folks kill their first attempt at this hobby. (Unfortunately they may not have been healthy to begin with.) If this has been your experience, don't give up!

Perhaps it’s better to learn lessons from inexpensive subjects. If it does live, think of all the fun you can have re-styling!

Where to Go From Here

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Thinking of getting a first bonsai? Be sure to read How to Buy a Bonsai.

Or you may want to read 10 Reasons Not to Buy one!

There are also many other types of bonsai trees to learn about.