How to shape a flowering cherry bonsai

[Kipper10]

I have a flowering cherry which I bought last year and is now flowering beautifully but it has a straight trunk and doesn’t look like a bonsai, how should I shape it?

 

[JudyB]

The best way to find a direction on a tree this young, is to go and look at older tree images and see what inspires you. Once you have an image to work toward, you can find the correct technique to get you there. Remember that health of the tree is the most important thing. A healthy tree will get to your goal much sooner than a struggling overworked one.

Welcome to the forum

 

[FreshAirSunshine]

following-up on Judy’s comment - I strongly agree with the advise but I’d also emphasize the importance of consciously noting (perhaps literally) on the image. What makes the tree appeal to you and what makes it look like “a tree”. How do branches bend? Do they curve gently back and forth or at more jagged angles? How do they extend from the trunk? Do they move upward and curve gently down or so they stick straight out or what? How does branch thickness vary with height? Etc. I think being very deliberate with identifying what makes a tree look good in those images goes a long way.

 

[Kipper10]

Thank you both for your comments I will study some older trees and not rush into anything.
Thank you for your welcome, I was new to bonsai last year so no doubt will have lots of questions.

 

[JudyB]

I would also suggest in looking for inspiration for whatever tree you are making, to look at that specific species of tree images. There is a lot of design crossover, but some things like flowering and fruiting trees are grown a bit different to show off the blooms and fruiting trees more than a standard bonsai image.