The most popular beginner bonsai styles are the Formal Upright (Chokkan) and the Broom Style (Hokidachi).
Chokkan features a straight, tapering trunk with alternating branches and suits conifers such as pine and juniper. Hokidachi features a straight trunk that divides into a rounded, fan-like canopy and suits deciduous species such as elm and zelkova. Both styles teach the fundamentals of proportion, taper, and branch placement without requiring advanced techniques.
As we learn to shape and maintain these basic bonsai forms, we discover how small adjustments in trunk angle, branch spacing, and foliage density transform a simple plant into a balanced work of art. With the right tools and care, our bonsai trees can thrive for decades, growing more refined each year.
We use the Formal Upright Style (Chokkan) when we want a bonsai that looks balanced, natural, and dignified. This beginner bonsai style highlights a strong, straight trunk and carefully arranged branches that create a clean, triangular silhouette. It reflects the calm strength of trees growing freely in open, sunny spaces.
The Chokkan style is one of the oldest and most recognisable styles of bonsai. It represents a tree growing tall and straight without competition from nearby trees. The trunk stands upright with a gentle taper from the base to the apex, giving a sense of natural proportion.
Each branch alternates from side to side in a symmetrical pattern. The first main branch usually appears about one-third of the way up the trunk. As we move upward, the branches become shorter and closer together, forming a triangular or conical outline that leads the eye to the apex.
The nebari (surface roots) spread evenly in all directions, anchoring the tree visually and physically. The apex forms directly above the trunk’s base, maintaining perfect balance. Common species for this style include Japanese Black Pine, Shimpaku Juniper, Cryptomeria, Larch, and occasionally Japanese Maple.
| Key Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Trunk | Straight, vertical, evenly tapered |
| Branches | Alternating, horizontal or slightly drooping |
| Silhouette | Triangular or conical |
| Roots (Nebari) | Evenly spread, stable base |
| Apex | Centred above the trunk base |
We recognise the Hokidachi, or Broom Style, as one of the most balanced and natural-looking bonsai styles. It highlights symmetry, fine branching, and a rounded crown that mirrors many deciduous trees found in nature. This style focuses on precision, proportion, and a clean, upright form that feels calm and open.
The Broom Style (Hokidachi) gets its name from its resemblance to an upturned broom or fan. The trunk grows straight and upright, dividing into multiple fine branches about one-third up the height of the tree. These branches radiate evenly in all directions, forming a rounded, symmetrical canopy.
We often see this style used with deciduous species such as Zelkova, Elm, and Japanese Maple. These trees naturally produce the fine twigs needed to create the dense, umbrella-like crown typical of Hokidachi.
The overall impression is one of balance and vitality. The even spacing of the branches gives the tree a sense of openness, while the dense canopy provides visual harmony. During winter, when the leaves fall, the intricate branch structure becomes clearly visible and adds seasonal interest.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Trunk | Straight, upright, unbent |
| Branching point | About one-third up the trunk |
| Canopy shape | Rounded, broom-like, symmetrical |
| Common species | Elm, Zelkova, Japanese Maple |
| Symbolism | Openness, balance, vitality |
To create a bonsai broom style, Maples and Elms are ideal because they respond well to pruning and develop dense twigs.
When shaping and maintaining bonsai styles, we rely on a few essential tools and materials that make the process smoother and more precise. Using the right equipment helps us protect the tree and achieve balanced growth.
Tools we recommend:
A well-chosen bonsai pot supports both aesthetics and root health. Rectangular or oval pots suit Chokkan (formal upright) styles, while round or oval ones complement Hokidachi (broom) forms.
| Style | Recommended Pot Shape | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chokkan | Rectangular / Oval | Enhances symmetry |
| Hokidachi | Round / Oval | Matches natural canopy spread |
For soil, we prefer well-draining bonsai mixes suited to the tree type; gritty blends for conifers and slightly loamier ones for deciduous species. Pair this with an organic bonsai fertiliser, adjusting feeding by season to encourage steady growth.
A few accessories make care easier:
These items help us keep trees healthy and maintain the clean, simple lines that define popular bonsai styles.
Start with the formal upright. Of all the bonsai styles available, Chokkan teaches the most transferable skills, proportion, taper, branch placement, and pot selection, in the most forgiving framework. A tree that is slightly imperfect in Chokkan is still a recognisable, coherent composition. The same imperfections in a more complex style are far harder to read and correct.
In our experience at Miyagi Bonsai, the most common beginner mistake is choosing a style before choosing a species. The species should come first; a young pine points naturally toward Chokkan, a young elm toward Hokidachi. Working with the tree’s natural growth habit rather than against it produces faster results and a more convincing composition.
Miyagi Bonsai stocks a carefully chosen range of beginner and intermediate bonsai trees in formal upright and broom styles, alongside training pots, pruning shears, wiring kits, and bonsai soil mixes, with next working day UK delivery available on most orders. The products and recommendations in this guide reflect what we stock, use and see working for our customers every day. We are rated 5 stars across over 100 Google reviews, and our team is on hand by email and phone if you have any questions about bonsai styles, species selection, or getting started.
Indoor bonsai need bright, indirect sunlight for at least 5–6 hours each day. We keep them near a window but away from direct heat or cold drafts.
Humidity matters. Placing the pot on a humidity tray or misting the leaves helps prevent dryness. We also rotate the tree weekly to ensure even light exposure.
The Chokkan style grows straight and upright, with a balanced, vertical trunk. It symbolises stability and order.
The Shakan style leans to one side, often at a 60–80° angle, giving the impression of a tree shaped by wind or gravity. It’s dynamic and natural-looking compared to the formal Chokkan.
We water when the top layer of soil feels slightly dry, not on a fixed schedule. Frequency depends on tree species, pot size, and environment.
In summer, this might mean watering once a day. In cooler months, it could drop to every few days. Always water until it drains from the bottom holes to ensure full saturation.
Yes, several resilient species adapt well to indoor and outdoor conditions:
These species teach us patience and technique without being overly sensitive.
We don’t need many tools to begin. A few essentials go a long way:
Keeping tools sharp and clean helps us maintain tree health and achieve precise cuts.
The Formal Upright (Chokkan) is the most widely recommended bonsai style for beginners. Its clear structural rules, straight trunk, alternating branches, triangular silhouette, make it easier to learn and assess than more complex styles. The proportions are well-documented, and the style suits a wide range of commonly available species, including juniper, pine, and cryptomeria. The Broom Style (Hokidachi) is equally accessible for beginners working with deciduous species such as elm or zelkova, which naturally produce the fine branching the style requires. Both styles teach the fundamentals of proportion, taper, and branch placement that apply to every other bonsai style.
Chokkan (Formal Upright) features a single straight, tapering trunk that runs vertically from base to apex, with branches alternating from side to side in a triangular silhouette. It suits conifers and species that naturally grow upright. Hokidachi (Broom Style) features a straight trunk that divides into multiple branches approximately one-third of the way up, spreading radially to form a rounded, symmetrical canopy. It suits deciduous species with fine branching habits. The key practical difference is species suitability; Chokkan works with most species, while Hokidachi is specifically suited to deciduous trees that produce fine ramification. Both styles share a straight trunk and emphasise proportion and symmetry, which is why they are often taught together as beginner forms.
A formal upright bonsai can take anywhere from three to ten years to develop a convincing mature form, depending on the species, starting material, and how actively it is trained. Fast-growing species such as Japanese black pine can show significant development within two to three growing seasons with regular pruning and repotting. Slower-growing species such as juniper or maple may take five to ten years to develop the trunk thickness, root spread, and branch structure that define a well-proportioned Chokkan. Starting with pre-trained nursery material or a young pre-bonsai rather than collected material or seedlings significantly reduces development time. At Miyagi Bonsai, our team can advise on which starting material best matches your timeline and experience level.
Both Chokkan and Hokidachi can be grown indoors, but species suitability is more important than style when choosing an indoor bonsai. Tropical and subtropical species; ficus, Carmona (fukien tea), and Schefflera, are the most reliable for indoor growing as they tolerate the lower light levels and stable temperatures of indoor environments year-round. Temperate species such as juniper, pine, elm, and maple require a seasonal dormancy period and are not suited to permanent indoor cultivation. For indoor Chokkan, ficus is the most commonly recommended species. For indoor Hokidachi, Carmona produces the fine branching the style requires and tolerates indoor conditions well. Regardless of style, bright indirect light and consistent temperatures above 15°C are the essential requirements.
Yes, bonsai styles can be changed or refined at any stage of development, though the extent of change possible depends on the tree’s age and existing structure. Young trees with flexible trunks and undeveloped branch structure can be redirected to a different style relatively easily. Mature trees with established trunk lines and thickened branches are harder to redirect significantly; a mature formal upright cannot easily become a cascade, for example, as the trunk structure would need to be fundamentally altered. Minor stylistic adjustments, changing from a strict formal upright to a more relaxed informal upright, or refining a Hokidachi canopy, are achievable at most stages with careful pruning and wiring. At Miyagi Bonsai, we are happy to advise on the feasibility of restyling a specific tree based on its current development.
