This lesson teaches the “apex-building” technique, a key element in bonsai design, using an 80 to 100-year-old Japanese Red Pine. Starting with shelves formed by the first through third branches, it shows how to wire and arrange them to create a smooth, dome-shaped apex. You’ll learn how to choose the right wire, set the line of the front branches, fill spaces, and use back branches for depth—practical, professional tips that turn long-neglected material into an ideal tree shape.