On formal upright style bonsai:

The two main styles of are the classic (koten) and the informal or 'comic' (bunjin). In the classic style, the trunk of the tree is wider at the base and tapers off towards the top; it is just the opposite in the 'bunjin', a style more difficult to master.

If you study carefully the way trees grow in nature, it is possible to design a realistic without knowing the names of these styles. You do need not stick strictly to the precise rules of your chosen style: adapt them to suit a plant's natural habitat.

The five basic styles are formal upright, informal upright, slanting (or windswept), semi-cascade and cascade. Each style has its own individual beauty and serenity

Formal Upright Style

The most important requirement for this style is that the trunk should be perfectly straight, tapering naturally and evenly from its base to the apex. The branches should be symmetrically spaced so they are balanced when viewed from any direction. This is a very demanding style to achieve.

Recommended Species:  Larches, Junipers, Pines and Spruces are all suitable. Maples can also be used, but are not as easy to train into such a conformist style.  Above all, fruiting or naturally informal trees are not suitable for formal upright style.

Processes/Techniques Used:  To achieve an effective formal upright, be sure that about one third of the trunk is visible from the front, either from the base to the first branch or as seen through the tracery of its branches. Generally, the placement of the branches will follow a pattern. The first branch up from the bottom is the longest and in proportion is usually is trained to grow to an equivalent of a third of the total height of the tree. This is the 'heaviest' branch and will almost make a right angle to the trunk. The second branch directly opposes the first branch and is higher on the trunk. As the branch structure ascends, they taper assuming a somewhat cone-like form. The top of the is usually very thick with foliage - so full and tight that it is difficult to see its structure through the mass of leaves or needles. The tip of this style of also has a slight curve, to lean forward and effectively “look” at the viewer.

Depending on the species of tree you are using, the whole tree does not have to be symmetrical, but rather the branches could ascend by alternating on each side.

Off-site content related to formal upright style bonsai

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Go here for information on formal upright style bonsai - Below we have some more links to our pages on cascade style bonsai, formal upright style bonsai, indoor bonsai plants, informal upright style bonsai - they may help you with your research.