Buddhist monks from China introduced miniature trees to Japan sometime around the 13th century. There the art form became highly formalized, reaching its peak in the 17th and 18th centuries. Bonsai gained worldwide exposure—and fashionable acclaim—at the Paris World Exposition in 1900. This particular tree was started in the late 1980s due to over-ordering on a landscaping project. It is not commonly used for bonsai material. Euonymus alatus, known variously as winged spindle, winged euonymus, or burning bush originates from woodland and thickets in China and Japan. The tree grows to 20 ft (6 m) tall, often wider than tall. The stems are notable for their four corky ridges or “wings.” The word alatus is Latin for “winged,” in reference to the winged branches. In the zones of 4 to 8, the species is hardy and It is most striking in the fall when the leaves turn bright red. The broom style is suited for deciduous trees with extensive, fine branching. The trunk is straight and upright and does not continue to the top of the tree; it branches out in all directions at about 1/3 the height of the tree. The branches and leaves form a ball-shaped crown which is also a stunning sight during winter months.