III. ELEMENTS OF BONSAI AESTHETICS
A. Ageing. People have preconceptions about the effects of aging
on an object. In bonsai it is not necessary to present an old
tree for viewing, merely one that has been styled to look old.
In order to trick the viewer into intuitively believing that the
bonsai is quite old, it is necessary to carefully replicate visual
cues associated with age. Various techniques involving the
roots, trunk, branches, and special effects are used to create
these illusions of age.
1. Roots. Partially visible, large and mature roots gives the
appearance of age. As a tree matures, the soil surface
around its base erodes to expose surface roots which
develop a mature bark. A well established tree has surface
roots which cling to the earth in several directions.
2. Trunk.
a. Trunk diameter. The lower portion of the trunk is the
oldest portion and should have a significantly greater
diameter with a distinct taper, becoming narrower as it
progresses upward. The overall diameter of the trunk
should be appropriate to the height of the tree.
b. Trunk posture. The posture of the trunk gives visual
cues to the viewer which tell a great deal about the
apparent age of the tree. The trunk of a tree which
emerges from the ground at an angle and continues up
in a series of bends and curves gives the illusion of age
overcoming the elements of nature.