The demo tree is a Japanese black pine (Pinus thunbergii). As can be seen, it is quite healthy: good color, long needles and plenty of top growth. Although the tree is nursery stock, it has been given good care but not bonsai care. By that I mean the tree has not been cared for having in mind the desirability of short needles. Needle reduction and ramification, among other things, will be the responsibility of the new owner.

The tree is between 24 and 30 inches tall.

The movement of the trunk is described to the audience, (it moves from right to left or left to right, depending on which front is selected). The trunk has good movement to it and quite a few branches are located on the outside of the curves.

However, a couple of "faults" were detected: about half way up there were parallel branches (common to both fronts) and one front would have no back branch until one reached the apex. The latter is not good.

The front that was selected is that which makes the tree move from right to left and provides a back branch.

The obvious advantage of selecting this front is that it presents the best of all worlds: the ideal left right back branch combination.

Basic pruning, to thin out the tree, is about to begin.

It is very important to clean out all growth that's not needed and dead branches. First, because it gives you a much better view of the tree and helps in making design decisions. Secondly, it will improve the health of the tree by letting in sun, wind and moisture. Along with other measures, opening up the tree to the elements will help considerably in its future development as a bonsai.