Porfidio Delgado Jr., age 14, of Visalia, Calif., for his question:

HOW ARE MINIATURE ORIENTAL TREES CREATED?

The art of growing miniature trees or other plants in trays or other shallow containers is called bonsai. Bonsai originated in the homes of Chinese and Japanese aristocrats as early as 1000 A.D. During the 1800s it became a widespread art in Japanese households.

A bonsai tree may measure from two inches to three feet in height. Several trees may be grown in one tray to represent a forest. Favorite trees used for bonsai plantings include evergreens such as pines, cedars and junipers; flowering fruit trees; azalea; cherry; plum and maple.

Bonsai trees are kept small by pruning the roots and branches and repotting often. Careful watering and fertilization is necessary to keep the plants healthy.