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Welcome to our blog series, Bonsai Topics. Today, we’re delving into the fascinating world of large bonsai trees. At Bonsai Direct, we have a superb selection of large and big bonsai trees perfect for indoor display or specimen bonsai tree varieties for the garden. These stunning specimens make a real statement piece for your home, office, garden, or foyer. Let’s explore why large bonsai trees are so captivating and why they make excellent additions to any space.

Large Bonsai Trees: A Natural Focal Point

Specimen Large Bonsai tree | Chinese Elm or Ulmus parvifolia bonsai tree UK

Large bonsai trees are not just plants; they are living works of art that bring nature into your home. With their intricate shapes and mature foliage, a big bonsai looks fabulous and serves as a perfect focal point in any setting. These trees are more mature and well-established, making them easier to care for compared to smaller bonsai. Being in bigger pots, they generally need less frequent watering, adding to their convenience.

Why People Enjoy Bonsai Trees

People are drawn to bonsai trees for many reasons. They provide a sense of peace and tranquility, making them a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. The art of bonsai is incredibly fascinating, involving meticulous pruning and shaping to create miniature versions of full-sized trees. This process is both therapeutic and rewarding, offering a unique blend of artistic expression and horticultural expertise.

Specimen Bonsai Trees | For Indoors

Large Bonsai Trees: Omono and Dai Categories

Omono

Omono bonsai trees are classified as “four-hand” bonsai, meaning they typically require two people to lift them due to their size. These impressive trees range from 30 to 48 inches in height (70 cm to 1.2 m). Omono bonsai are perfect for creating a dramatic focal point in your home or office, adding both beauty and a touch of nature to your environment.

Dai Category

The Dai category is very similar to Omono, with both falling under the “Very Large” classification in English. Dai bonsai trees also range from 30 to 48 inches in height. The differentiation between Omono and Dai is minor, but both categories represent some of the largest and most impressive bonsai specimens available.

Bonsai Tree Size Classification

Understanding the different size classifications of bonsai trees can help you appreciate the scale and artistry involved in creating these living masterpieces. Here’s a quick overview:

Large Bonsai Sizes

  • Imperial (Eight-handed bonsai): 60-80 inches (152-203 cm)
  • Hachi-uye (Six-handed bonsai): 40-60 inches (102-152 cm)
  • Dai or Omono (Four-handed bonsai): 30-48 inches (76-122 cm)

Medium-size Bonsai

  • Chiu or Chumono or Ōgata (Two-handed bonsai): 16-36 inches (41-91 cm)
  • Katade-mochi or Chuhin (Two-handed bonsai): 10-18 inches (25-46 cm)

Miniature Bonsai

  • Kumono or Kifu (One-handed bonsai): 6-10 inches (15-25 cm)
  • Shohin or Chohin (One-handed bonsai): 5-8 inches (13-20 cm)
  • Mame (Palm-sized bonsai): 2-6 inches (5-15 cm)
  • Shito (Fingertip-sized bonsai): 2-4 inches (5-10 cm)
  • Keshitsubo (Poppy seed-sized bonsai): 1-3 inches (3-8 cm)

Specimen Bonsai Trees | For Outdoors

Interesting Facts About Large Bonsai Trees

  • The largest bonsai in the world is believed to be a red pine located at the Akao Herb & Rose Garden in Atami, Japan. It is also one of the oldest bonsai trees. The tree is at least 16 feet tall and 30 feet wide. It qualifies as a bonsai because it’s contained in a pot.
  • Bonsai is all about scale and balance. It’s an attempt to create the perfect miniature of a large tree, mimicking the natural shapes and proportions of trees found in woodlands. The smaller the leaves, the bigger the branches appear, which is highly desirable when creating a bonsai.
  • Just like a garden, a bonsai is never finished. It is always growing, changing, and opening up possibilities for new styling and shaping. This dynamic aspect is what makes bonsai cultivation so engaging and rewarding.
Largest Red Pine Bonsai in the world in Japanese garden, Atami, Izu.

Large bonsai trees are perfect for those looking to bring a touch of nature’s elegance into their environment. With their easy care requirements and stunning presence, they make excellent focal points and conversation starters. 

Sarah Noall

Sarah Noall is a founding partner of Bonsai Direct with over 30 years of professional bonsai expertise. As the heart of the business, she combines a deep knowledge of bonsai with exceptional organisational skill - overseeing customer care, office management, and the smooth running of the website to ensure every customer has an outstanding experience.

Bonsai Expert Sarah >

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