Bonsai are ‘styled’ to give them a mature look and to give the illusion of a tree that has been shaped by the forces of nature. Wiring the trunk and branches is the usual technique employed, but there are other methods, such as using weights and clamps. Wires to pull branches downward are also used. The Chinese and Japanese have created many styles and bonsai source books give the enthusiast many different ideas to try. Here are some of the more common styles for bonsai.