When choosing a bonsai, the following factors need to be taken into consideration.

Style: Decide what style you prefer for your tree. There are various styles of bonsai and you can select a specimen based on the style you prefer. Moreover,one single type of tree can be pruned and shaped into several different styles of bonsai offering dramatically different looks.

Soil: Avoid bonsai with compacted, airless or waterlogged soil.

Pots: Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes and see to it that it does not have a glazed interior.

Roots: Select a Bonsai that has well established roots. Gently tap the tree in its pot and if it seems loose, the root structure may not be well-established.

Trunk: An evenly-tapered trunk line is desirable. The trunk should appear proportional to other parts of the tree. Avoid trunks that have scars or swellings.

Branches: The lower branches should be the heaviest, and branches should be distributed evenly around the trunk. All branches should look natural as they emerge from the trunk. Trunks and branches should not have any scars from training wires.

Infestation check: Check to see if the trees are healthy. Avoid trees that have discolored foliage, stunted branches and infestations of mites or scale insects.

Indoor or Outdoor: If you plan to grow the Bonsai tree indoors, then tropical and semitropical trees are ideal. If you plan to grow the tree outdoors, you can choose any of the temperate trees too. Ideal Bonsai starter trees are Japanese Red Maple, Semi-tropical Sea Grape and Chinese Elm.

Apart from those mentioned above, adaptability and affordability are the other factors that influence the choice of a Bonsai tree.

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