Introduction to Evaluating Bonsai by David Johnson Introduction to "Evaluating Bonsai" by Yuji Yoshimura, assisted by William N. Valavanis. This article appears from "International Bonsai" 1994, No. 3 with editor Bill Valavanis' kind permission for use by members of the Toronto Bonsai Society. Mr. Valavanis did a presentation of this article on November 14, 1994 at the Toronto Bonsai Society's November meeting. The article is being re-introduced to readers as a follow-up toİrecent club meetings where members had the opportunity to evaluate some developing bonsai and consider possible designs such as the front, first branch, etc. Then the trees were presented to the meeting where their owners or more experienced members offered their suggestions and the reasons for them. This stimulated a range of opinions and helped members think through the factors in developing their own design ideas. While the topic suggests the evaluation of developed bonsai, it also can serve as a guide for the selection and styling of developing bonsai. There are several points worth noting: - the ratio of horticultural to aesthetic aspects - the notation: "Subjects are listed in order of importance" - the subjects listed and their importance based on order and points "Evaluating Bonsai" can help improve our trees.