A Bonsai Dictionary
Accent plant – A small plant
that accompanies a bonsai on
display and should suggest the
same place and time of year as
the tree. Often called a
companion plant. It may be a
dwarf version of a grass, moss,
hosta, small flower or other
species.
Adventitious buds - Dormant buds lying under the bark of a tree that
might develop into new branches if branches are lost above that point
on the tree.
Akadama - A traditional Japanese bonsai soil component composed of
red volcanic matter. It is used on many types of deciduous bonsai trees.
Apex - The highest point of the tree. The shapes of trees are often
defined by a scalene triangle and the apex will be the top of the triangle.
The Apex of a conifer is often well defined but on deciduous or older
trees, it may be defined by the top of a curve.
Apical - An adjective describing the top of the tree often used to
describe where a particular species exhibits the most growth ( as
opposed to lateral). (ie: Most pines are apically dominant.)
Backbudding - A process by which adventitious buds are induced to
grow further back along the branch or trunk. This can be induced by
vigorous pruning and/or good feeding.
Bare-root - The process of removing all of the existing soil from the
root system of a tree. The process is usually advisable for material that
was growing in heavy clay. The process can be carried out in stages for
most nursery stock grown in fast-draining nursery mix.
Broad-leaf - Broad-leaved trees are a group belonging to the
angiospermsor flowering plants which have seeds enclosed in an ovary.
With notable exceptions, they are deciduous and go dormant from
Autumn through to Spring.
Bud - Organ or shoot that contains an embryonic branch, leaf or flower.
Buttress - This is also known as root-flare, where the base of the tree
flares outwards giving the feeling of great age and solidity.
Bud break - The point at which a bud has opened enough to show a
green tip.
Bud pushing - The point at which buds are just beginning to swell in
the spring. This is often a good time for repotting and pruning (expect
on plants the flower in the spring).
Cambium Green growth tissue directly below the bark, its increase
adds to the girth of roots and stems and results in the yearly rings on a
tree.
Callus Tissue that forms over a wound on a branch or trunk as part of
the healing process.
Candle - Name given to the extending bud of a Pine before the new
needles open.
Canopy - The collective term for the upper-most branches that form the
top of a tree.
Chop stick - One of the more inportant tools for working on bonsai,
though they can be expensive since you generally have to buy a meal to
get them. The are good for working soil down around the roots od a
newly transplanted tree. It is often worthwhile having several sizes
including a big one for bigger trees.
Chlorosis - Loss of chlorophyll and leaf color as a result of mineral
deficiency.
Collected tree - A tree taken from its natural habitat In the best cases,
they have been shaped by the forces of nature alone.
Companion plant – A small plant that accompanies a bonsai on display
and should suggest the same place and time of year as the tree. Often
called an accent plant. It may be a dwarf version of a grass, moss, hosta
or other species.
Concave
cutter – A
rounded cutter
giving a
concave cut
for removing
material in a
manner that
leaves a
hollow spot
that can later
be filled by
callus. Also called a knob cutter.
Conifer - Conifers belong to the group of naked-seeded plants known
as gymnosperms. Their seeds are not enclosed in an ovary. Conifers
have leaves which are needle-shaped or scale-like. With a few notable
exceptions, they are evergreen.
Cut Paste - Any of a variety of products used to seal the wounds on a
tree where branches have been removed and dead-wood is not desired.
Dead-wood - Wood on a bonsai that is left exposed to give an
impression of age and a difficult life to a tree. See jin and shari.
Dessication – Caused by a lack of water; desiccated leaves usually
occur when the roots are unable to supply water to them. This can be
the result of forgetting to water. In the winter, frozen soil and a dry
windy day can quickly lead to dessication.
Deciduous - A plant that sheds its leaves each year in Autumn- this can
be a broad-leaved or more rarely, a coniferous tree.
Defoliation -The process of partly or completely removing the leaves
of a tree during its early summer growth period to induce a crop of
finer, smaller leaves which can greatly increase ramification.
Intentional defoliation can be a useful process. Inadvertent defoliation
by forgetting to water or by a late frost in the spring is to be avoided.
Diagonal
cutter – A
strait-edged
cutter where
the blades are
at a diagonal
from the
handle. Used
primarily for
heavier cuts
and creating
jin. The three
sizes shown here are for very small trees, regular bonsai work, and for
exceptionallt large trees.
Dieback - Death of growth beginning at tip from disease or injury.
Winter dieback is not uncommon, particularly in trees that have been
pruned too late in the season.
Dissected - Deeply cut into segments or lobes as in the leaves of some
Japanese maples.
Dormant – A period of no growth. All trees are dormant in the winter
when temperatures are below about 40 °C and photosynthesis has
stopped. Many trees are dormant during the hot summer months,
feeling that it is sufficient just to stay alive. Permanent dormancy is a
state to be avoided.
Dormant oil – One of a variety of water-dispersable oils sprayed on
plants to keep aphids and mites under control. Be warned that
application to blue-tinted conifers will turn them green for a period of
time. It is frequently applied as trees are put into winter storage.
Follow the application instructions.
Ericaceous - A term referring to acid loving, lime-hating plants.
Azaleas are a prime example.
Evergreen - A plant that remains in leaf all year. It should be noted that
evergreen trees slowly shed their oldest leaves at certain times of the
year (depending on species) as they are replaced by new growth. These
include most conifers and trees like boxwood and some azaleas.
Foliage pad - A small individual mass of foliage on a branch;
sometimes referred to as a cloud. Foliage pads are refined by keeping
the trimmed so that they are individually identifiable. Generally pads
should not be vertically aligned because the upper pad will shade the
lower pad.
Girth - The circumference of the trunk of a tree measured at soil level.
Graft – A noun used to describe a tree that has
been attached to hardier root stock or root-stock
that leads to a desirable trait in the tree. It is also
a verb used to describe the process of adding
branches or roots to an existing tree to enhance
the appearance of that tree. Shown here is an
unsightly graft that would not be acce[ptable on
a bonsai but is common in yard plants.
Hardy - A term used to describe trees capable a
withstanding winter weather. Hardiness changes
from region to region. Descriptions of hardiness
on this web site are for the MidAtlantic region.
Internode – The woody growth between two nodes (leaves or leaf-
joints). It is generally desirable to choose trees with short internodes or
to maintain short internodes by constant pruning.
Jin - A branch of dead wood on a tree or live wood turned into dead
wood. A noun, but often used as a verb to describe the process of
stripping bark off a live branch. Not to be confused with gin which is
what we drink while working on trees.
Juvenile foliage – Most often seen in junipers, these are the young
leaves, often sharp pointed growth of a tree that produces two distinct
shapes of greenery. The second type being mature foliage that is more
corded in nature.
Knob cutter – A rounded cutter giving a concave cut for removing
material in a manner that leaves a hollow spot that can later be filled by
callus. Also called a concave cutter.
Lateral Growth - Growth to the side as opposed to apical growth. (ie:
Short wide trees such as Birds Nest Spruce are laterally dominant.)
Layering - Ground and air-layering are methods of producing new
roots from the trunk or branches of a tree; often used as a propagation
method but also useful for correcting poor surface rots (nebari).
Leader - The main shoot at the top of a tree, usually indicating the
uppermost continuation of the trunk. These are very apparent in young
trees but should be less clear in more mature trees.
Lime Sulfur - A chemical used to whiten and preserve a section of
stripped branch or trunk in order to preserve a jin or shari. In this
application, it is applied at full strength with a paint brush, avoiding any
bark or other live areas of the tree. It is also used to prevent fungal
growth and is used according to instructions. WARNING: This has a
very foul odor and is to be used outdoors only.
Linnaean taxonomy - Biological classification (taxonomy) set up by
Carl Linnaeus, as set forth in his Systema Naturæ (1735) and
subsequent works. This is a lot more than you probably want to know.
Family - A group of genera whose members resemble one
another in several respects
Genus - Closely related and similar plant species
Specific epithet – This term follows the generic name, and with
it, comprises the species name. For example, in the case of
Molinia caerulea-Molinia is the genus, carulea is the specific
epithet, and the whole is the name of the species
Subspecies - Differs from others of the same species in one or
more characteristics. Abrv. subsp.
Variety - Botantical variety differs from others of the
species,i.e.flower color. Abrv. Var.
Cultivar - or cultivated variety, is a group of plants under
cultivation whose members differ from other members of the
same species in one or more characteristics.
Common name - The name typically used in the nursery trade.
These names may vary geographically.
Mature foliage – Most often seen in junipers, these are the secondary
more corded foliage that follows the juvenile sharp pointed growth of a
tree that produces two distinct shapes of greenery.
Nebari - Commonly-used Japanese term to describe the surface roots of
a bonsai (those that can been seen on or above the surface of the soil).
New wood - A stem or twig on a bonsai that originated during the
current season's growth.
Node - Growth point on a branch or trunk from which leaves, leaf buds
and shoots can arise.
Material – Pre-bonsai stock from a variety of sources. It may come
from nurseries, vendors at bonsai meetings, collection from the wild or
a neighbor’s yard, or from other bonsai enthusiasts who have taken the
unusual step of reducing their collection.
Mallsai - The trees that appear at the mall periodically and that are sold
as bonsai. They are often dead upon purchase or shortly thereafter.
They are the most common cause for the phrase, “I had a bonsai once,
but it died.”
Old wood - A stem or twig on a bonsai that originated during the
previous season's growth or at an earlier time.
Penjing - The
Chinese term for
bonsai.
Generally more
loosely styled
than Japanese
trees. They
frequently depict
a scene and may
be placed on a
marble slab to
represent water.
Pinching - A technique used in bonsai cultivation for controlling and
shaping the growth of foliage by pulling off soft new shoots with the
finger and thumb in a pinching motion. It can also refer to very light
trimming with scissors.
Pot-bound - The adverse state of a container-grown plant where the
root growth has filled the container to the extent of eliminating all vital
air spaces. This is the signal that root-pruning and repotting is required.
Prostrate - The characteristic growth habit of a plant that naturally
tends to grow along the ground instead of upright. This is the antithesis
of apical growth.
Pruning - The process of controlling the shape and growth rate of a
tree by cutting back the shoots, stems and branches. Some low level of
pruning is required throughout the life of a bonsai. Very substantial
pruning is usually described as styling.
Raceme - A type of elongated flower that is composed of individual
stalks all growing from a central stem – for example the flower type
found on wisteria.
Ramification - The repeated division of branches into secondary
branches.
Rootball - The large mass of roots and soil visible when a tree is taken
out of its pot or pulled from the ground.
Root hook- A tool
useful for untangling
the roots when a tree
is being repotted.
Often long roots will
encircle the root ball
and this tool is useful
for finding the
beginning and end of
a root.
Root pruning - The practice of cutting back the roots of bonsai in order
to make room in the container for fresh soil and to encourage new root
growth. One of the failings of beginners is to remove enough roots
during the repotting process.
Rootstock - The root system and main stem to be used as the base of a
new tree when propagating through grafting. Many nursery Japanese
maples and pines are on rootstock that differs from the top of the tree.
Scion - The small section of a tree which contains all of the desirable
characteristics of the parent tree that will be propagated into a new tree
through grafting on top of the rootstock.
Scissors – The most useful tool for maintaining the styling of a tree.
Most scissors useful for bonsai have large rounded handles that fit the
hand well.
Seasonal Bonsai - Species that look their best for a short period of the
year, for instance trees grown for their flowers or fruit. Witch Hazel are
the first blossoms of spring, but their leaves are too large the rest of the
year. Wisteria are often grown only for their blossoms.
Shari - Deadwood on the trunk of a bonsai (as opposed to Jin which is
a deadwood branch or protrusion).
Style – The Japanese have classified trees into a variety of styles and
they use a specific nomenclature. Please see the accompanying page on
styles for both the Japanese and English nomenclature.
Styling - The process of substantially altering the shape of a tree by
cutting and wiring the branches of a tree.
Size – The Japanese have classified trees into a variety of sizes and they
use a specific nomenclature. Please see the accompanying page on size
for the Japanese nomenclature and English descriptions.
Soil – Not to be confused with dirt. Bonsai soils used for growing
bonsai are special mixes of larger-grained materials designed for good
water drainage. Organic soils are those that contain ingredients derived
from plants; peat, bark or leaf litter. Inorganic soils contain inert
materials, mineral, stone or hardened/fired clays such as grit, sand,
akadama, kanuma, or Turface.
Suiban - A shallow tray with no drainage holes that is commonly filled
with either gravel or water and can house rock plantings.
Suiseki - Stones that appear to look like large boulders or mountains
and represent the spirit or essence of each; sometime used in a formal
bonsai display. See the Ameriseki portion of this website.
Sumo – An unofficial, coined term for particular bonsai, usually small,
that have an exceptional girth and taper in the trunk.
Sphagnum moss - Long-fibered moss used for layering or other
situations where water is to be retained. Itshould not be a component of
a bonsai soil mix.
Tokonoma – A traditional display area in a Japanese house.
Frequently, bonsai are brought inside for a short period to be displayed
with accent plantings and calligraphy.
Tools – The four primary tools for bonsai styling are a saw, scissors,
diagonal cutters and knob cutters. Of course, these come in a variety of
sizes and there are many other specialized tools.
Tree – What this website is all about. Commonly, bonsai growers will
refer to their bonsai as trees rather than as bonsai. This is even true
when the bonsai is of a species that does not grow as a tree.
Uro - A carved (or natural) deadwood hollow, often seen on (but not
limited to) deciduous trees. While interesting, this can be a source of
rot and must be maintained carefully.
Wiring – The process of wrapping heavy wire around portions of a tree
to position those parts of the tree specifically where they are desired. A
young tree has branches pointing to the heavens. Old trees (like older
individuals) have been subject to the force of gravity and have some
portions that sag. The wiring process can add age to a tree very
quickly. Copper wire and aluminum wire anodized to resemble copper
are commonly used.
Wound sealant - A number of compounds formulated to seal cuts made
on branches or the trunk of bonsai to prevent the loss of moisture and
promote heeling. See cut paste
Xylem - The layer underneath the cambium on the trunk. It transports
energy from the leaves to the roots.
Yamadori - Trees collected from the wild for the use as bonsai. It was
originally used to describe heavily distressed trees collected from
mountainous regions.
Brandywine Bonsai Society is an educational organization and as a result, the material in this site may be copied for
educational purposes. If large portions are copied, we would appreciate attribution. We welcome links to this site.