While flower delivery is a common practice when you need to send a gift has it ever occurred to you that you could send a tree? A bonsai tree is an unusual but exciting gift that lasts much longer than flowers but is just as beautiful and should elicit comments of admiration. Trees are available from florists in your hometown as well as online florists.

Even though bonsai is a Japanese word for potted plant, the bonsai does not actually come from Japan. Growing miniature trees in containers was the custom of an ancient Chinese dynasty, and the Japanese pronounced the Chinese word for these little trees as bonsai. The trees later became more common in Japan, and these days they are nearly always called bonsai outside China.

Although in this country we often think of miniature trees as houseplants for indoors, in Japan they are also popular for use outdoors. In fact, some are specifically grown for use outdoors, so make sure to always follow the care instructions that come with your plant. A bonsai tree can be either a deciduous tree, which loses leaves in fall or winter, or it may be an evergreen.

Pruning, shaping and root paring create the bonsai tree so that it has smaller leaves and is much less tall. Bonsai are classified by size, from tiny to large. Tiny bonsai are one inch or smaller, and large bonsai could be as tall as four feet. Most florists keep small and medium bonsai in stock, but will be able to order a larger size if you prefer.

Looking for a one-of-a-kind gift for a plant lover? Consider a bonsai tree. Many years of careful pruning, using special bonsai tools, go into creating these tiny trees. They grow in small pots, which bind the roots to keep the plant small. Seasonal care is required, since the pruning and root cutting cannot be done when the tree is dormant.

To keep the shape of the bonsai tree until the wood has firmed up, the tree can also be wired. The shape is established after removing the wires. Bonsai trees symbolize long life and performance, making them especially appropriate wedding gifts. If there has been a death in the family, bonsai trees would also be ideal as a long-lasting memorial.

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