Group Plantings

Whether planting a small copse of three trees, or a more ambitious miniature forest, the composition should first be planned out on paper. A shallow but wide container should be used, and the trees selected should be of the same variety, but of various heights. They should always be planted in odd numbers, not only because the Japanese dislike even numbers (especially 4),
but because it will be found in practice that a balanced composition is easier to create with odd
numbers.
The soil mixture required would be that which is normally used for the type of tree being grown.

To Begin:

- Always start by planting the largest tree first. This focal point is normally set to the right or
left of center.

- The second largest tree is then planted to compliment the first... and so on with the remaining trees.

- Be sure to check and see how the planting is looking, not only from the front, but from the back and sides as you are trying to maintain an even balance.

- Do not tie down the trees until the exact position of each has been determined.

- After planting, thin out any inward growing branches, except for those trees planted around the outer edge.