When designing the layout and style of a bonsai forest, there are a number of  art based and mathematical concepts that will enhance  the visual characteristics of your landscape, accentuating the spacial elements of  balance, depth and focal point.  The  illusion of  perspective infinity  is perhaps the more  significant  of these techniques and is generally more considered in terms of  renaissance landscape art.   But when these concepts are  adapted within the visual frame of a bonsai forest and integrated with Chinese and Japanese number theories, the  final design reflects a more symbolic and esoteric  dimension.  Using  mature three and four year old saplings I have photographed and  documented the development of forest bonsai using the above techniques.    The  examples that are reviewed  range from  non-complex succulents,  to fast growing (invasive) tree species with excellent trunking and foliage characteristics,  to a group planting of flowering azaleas that mimic the rhododendron forest of the Himalayas. 

Additional to my discussion  on forest aesthetics, I have not forgotten the  important issues of root pruning and re-potting a bonsai forest,  how to   minimize transplant shock (the death zone) utilising the secret power of Willow Water,  the significance of clay muck,  the essentials of forest bonsai drainage, the use and formulation of  bio-dynamic  treatments for minimizing insect damage and the critical management of your forest over winter. 

As a bonus I have added  “12 signs you’re obsessed with bonsai”

Enjoy the read. I have packed together a huge amount of relevant and important material that will ensure your bonsai trees  live beyond your lifetime for the future generations of  family and friends to nurture.