Leaf features. It refers to characteristics of leaves, such as colors, forms, ways of their coming out and strength of their growth. A difference in leaf features could lead to a difference in the value even though the trees are of the same species. Generally, good leaf features for needle-leaved trees are said to be short, straight, bright and thick. In the case of ”zoki” deciduous trees, good leaf features are said to be small, shiny, bright and beautiful in the foliage season. The value of a bonsai tree goes up if it satisfies those conditions. As it is difficult to improve ”hasho” leaf features, full evaluation of them in advance is key to the purchase of a bonsai tree.

translated by Kyodo News