By this technique, leaves will be in harmony with the small size of the bonsai tree. Just any tree or shrub in a pot is not a bonsai, however. Carefully calculated steps of root and branch pruning, watering and fertilization, and wiring are required to shape the tree into a miniature likeness of its forest relatives. Bonsai may be single trees, two trees, a group of three, or a forest with an odd number of trees. Even numbers are not considered to be acceptable form.
Form is a basic feature of bonsai.
In general, the desired overall shape is triangular with unequal sides. Bonsai is peace and harmony to the bonsai enthusiast. It is the challenge of developing the changing tree into an ever more beautiful form.