Pinus is a genus of approximately 120 species of monoecious, evergreen, coniferous trees or shrubs in the family Pinaceae, collectively known as Pines. They are widely distributed throughout the world particularly occurring in mountainous and arid conditions where they are able to thrive. Pines are a classic bonsai subject in Japan and the world over, they are not however, easy trees to care for and style without experience. Pines have their own growth patterns that differ greatly from deciduous and common coniferous species; these growth patterns need to be understood before successful styling and pruning can be carried out. Pines are not only used for bonsai in Japan, but they are also very often seen cloud-pruned in Japanese gardens.

Pinus wallichiana, commonly known as Bhutan Pine, Blue Pine, Himalayan Pine and Himalayan White Pine, is native to the Himalaya, Karakoram and Hindu Kush mountains, from eastern Afghanistan east across northern Pakistan and northwest India to Yunnan in southwest China. It grows in mountain valleys at altitudes of 1800 to 4300 m (rarely as low as 1200 m), reaching 30 to 50m in height. It favours a temperate climate with dry winters and wet summers.