Noted for its minimalist style, natural landscape and tranquil nature, the Japanese garden is as much art as it is science. To the untrained eye, the evergreens, rocks, pebbles, sand, ponds and waterfalls, and other common Japanese design elements may appear to be randomly placed in the garden, but everything — including the tree branches — serves a purpose. Every tree and shrub is purposely pruned in a way that leaves openings to allow the eye to see farther into the garden; and rocks, while solid, should be dynamic and positioned to lead the eye to the garden’s focal point, explained Mark Bourne, a noted expert in Japanese garden design…