Deadwood is an eye catching feature that can add realism and age to a bonsai. How to realistically capture the natural appearance of an aged specimen (like this wild California Juniper pictured at left) was the subject of Dave Butt's Round Robin Demonstration on Designing and Creating Deadwood, presented at Midori Bonsai Club's October 7, 1999 General Meeting.

Dave emphasized that to be believable, the deadwood must be considered in relation to the entire tree, and be consistent with the age and and the natural habits of the species. He explained there are four phases in the evolution of a typical conifer.

 
Phase 1: Juvenile Phase
 Characterized by rapid growth, branches radiating outward (up at the apex, down at the base, out at the middle), pointed apex, triangular silhouette.

Phase 2: Mature Phase
 the tree has topped out, vertical growth is slowing, is characterized by the gradual descent of the maturing branches in response to gravity on their increasing mass. Vertical height gain is ceasing, as the apex has topped out and is beginning to branch laterally.

 
Phase 3 - The top of the tree has died out through age or environmental damage (lightning, disease) A new leader may have developed. The branches are fewer in number and the majority of the lower branches are dead. 

Phase 4: Decrepit Phase
the few living branches develop in twiggy, treelike growth.  The base of the trunk and apex have begun to rot away and may have hollow areas.