By Alice Linhart

Bonsai, a Japanese word, roughly translates to “tree in a tray.” The Japanese have spent a thousand years perfecting the art of creating miniature living trees. Bonsai is a living art form, like a painting or sculpture that’s never quite finished. 

The Chinese originated the art 2,000 years ago, and the Japanese developed and refined it into the art we see today. Bonsai is practiced on every continent.

An endless variety of trees and shrubs can be used. In our area, a wide variety of trees are used, including evergreen, deciduous, fruit and tropical. Some trees are easier to work with than others, so it is in a beginner’s best interest to seek advice and assistance from an experienced Bonsai artist to get started.

_{Photos courtesy of Alice Linhart}

Bonsai uses special shallow pots with holes drilled in the bottom for both drainage and a way to wire the plant’s roots to the pot to hold the plant in place. A special light soil mix is used that allows for ample drainage and air circulation.

There are several good places to find trees to use for Bonsai. Starter trees are a few years old and available sometimes at the big-box stores. Trees are also available online, and a quick search brought up an amazing selection for purchase from a few dollars to a few thousand.

Bonsai enthusiasts are fortunate to have Bill Englert, the Vice President of the Eastern Iowa Bonsai Association, living right here in Johnson County – in Swisher. Bill recently brought some of his trees to the Swisher Library to introduce Bonsai to us. He has been working on his craft for about 10 years. 

For more information about Bonsai, you can reach out to the Eastern Iowa Bonsai Association.