In living nature, the formation of a tree is influenced by environmental conditions. The prevailing wind direction, terrain, nearby water sources, and soil composition all influence the shape of the trunk and branches. The ancient art of bonsai is based on recreating the appearance of a tree (style) growing in nature.

 It is only natural that spectacular and rare forms are the most popular.

The main principle in the formation of bonsai is the creation of a trunk line, to which the branches are related. Symmetry is not applied. Each style of tree has its own requirements for trunk, branches, crown and roots. If for some reason a tree has more than one style, it greatly reduces its value as a bonsai.
Some letter combinations of style names that are most commonly found in English-Japanese spelling are given at right in the pronunciation transcription.
These should be known, as tree styles should be pronounced in their language of origin.

	Formal upright (Chokkan) The formal upright style is very popular form of Bonsai. Chokkan is a classic style and basis in bonsai culture. Tree in this style symbolizes the stability, reliability and unbending vitality. Plants for this style: Conifers, Spruce, Juniper, Ginkgo, Larch, Japanese elm. Deciduous trees with spherical crowns (Indian dates and some other types).
	Moyogi Unlike other styles, this style can be completely different from each other. If it is difficult to define the style of bonsai it is usually called to as Moyogi. The trunk is vertical and has an irregular, curved shape. The curves (one or more) are sometimes significant, but decrease toward the top, like waves. Each curve should be clearly expressed. The trunk has a conical shape. Plants for this style are Pine, Juniper, Pomegranate, Oak, Japanese Maple, Plum and Apple. This style is one of the easiest for  growing.
	Bunjingi Symbolizes sublimity and spirituality. Aesthetic, refined, elegant, sophisticated bohemian style. The style takes its name from the manner of drawing used by Chinese artists in drawing trees. The English translate it Literati (literalist, scholar). The term literal is translation from Japanese and characterizes not the style, but the history of its origin. It is suitable for most pine or large-leaved trees.
	Semi-cascade (Han Kengai) Symbolizes strength and balance. The trunk is strong, first growing straight up and then sloping sharply to the side, but not below the base of the container. The trunk line can be either straight or curved. Occurs in nature in trees growing on steep slopes, on the banks of rivers and in swamp. Because water nearness, the trunk does not grow downward, but in a horizontal direction. Cotoneaster, Juniper, Pine, Azalea, Ivy.
	Cascade (Kengai) Symbolizes harmony and patience The trunk is steeply sloped to the surface of the container and sharply sloped downward, its top (the last branch) is below the base of the container. Ideally, when the center of the pot, the top and the slanted part of the cascade form a straight line. In nature, a tree growing on a steep cliff can bend for many reasons - due to falling rocks, under its own weight, the weight of snow, due to lack of light. Azalea, Juniper, Cotoneaster, Pine, Cotoneaster, Rhododendron, Plum, Cherry, Willow, Ivy. Successful cultivation possible only for experienced bonsai artists.
	Windswept (Fukinagashi) The branches and trunk grow from one side as if the wind has been blowing constantly from one direction. This is one of the impressive and at the same time difficult styles to forming. Applicable to almost all types of trees, but preferably with fine foliage and a thick trunk. Most often fukinagashi style to form used Birch, Spruce, Chinese juniper, and Thunberg pine.
	Planted on Rock (Ishitzuki) The uniqueness of the style is that the tree grows on the rock. The roots of this tree are exposed and go down clinging and sometimes going through the rock all the way to the ground. Suitable for Pine, Japanese Maple, Flowering Quince and Rhododendron.
	Multi-Trunk (Kabudachi) A plant with many trunks of varying thickness from one root system. The trunks form is single crown, with the thickest being the tallest. This style is suitable for all types of trees. All trunks grow from one root and are inseparable. This is the main difference between these plants and a group of separately.
	Raft (Ikadabuki) The style symbolizes the ability to survive and evolve in difficult conditions. Branches growing from a damaged tree. Almost all fast-rooting species of trees are possible for creating ikadabuki. The most often used are European beech, Ficus, Cossack juniper, Loblolly maple, Birch tree, Japanese white pine.
	Growing on a Rock (Sekijoju) A style of tree with roots on a rock. The style has two variations of miniature images: a tree braiding a rock and a tree "bursting out" from a stone. Suitable for creating such compositions are trees with a developed root system; Cotoneaster, Juniper, Plum, Cherry, Chinese elm, Pyracantha, Ficus, Azalea, Beech, Pine and Cedar.
	Forest (Yose-ue) Miniature imitates a section of a forest landscape. The composition consists of individual dwarf trees of the same species of thickness, height and age. Symbolizes continuity. Suitable for this style: European pine, Beech, Birch, Hornbeam, Thuja, Cherry, Japanese Maple.
	Double Trunk (Sokan) Represents trees with two trunks. Other names are also used for this style: twin trunk, twins, father and son, mother and son. The style is characterized by elegance and aesthetics. The suitable: Pine, Cedar, Spruce, Sequoia, Juniper, Elm, Birch and Japanese Maple.
	Triple trunk (Sankan) Three different-height trunks growing from one root form a complete family of "father", "mother" and "son". This bonsai symbolizes the continuity of generations. Suitable plants: Pine, Cedar, Spruce, Sequoia, Juniper, Elm, Birch, Japanese Maple, common hawthorn, Stone Oak.
	Broomstyle (Hokidachi) The style is fan or panicle. The trunk is short and strictly vertical, with no branches at the bottom. The branches spread out from the upper point of the trunk evenly in all directions, as if spread out in a fan. The crown is symmetrical, spherical and very dense. Thin branches give the tree an attractive appearance even without foliage. In nature, this style is almost perfectly expressed in Zelkova (dzelkva). It is also suitable for elm, maple and hornbeam.
	Exposed Root (Neagari) Tree with "protruding roots”. Emphasis on beautiful and powerful roots around the trunk and seemingly lifting the whole tree. Style for various types of Ficus, Trident Maple, Beech, Crab Apple, Pomegranate, Conifers, Japanese White Pine, Black Pine, Juniper, Spruce and Olive.