Cutting Down an Oak Tree + 1 Year Update on My Oak Bonsai!

[@jeffhurst4744]

Your steps on patiently reducing a rather large tree in the ground, to less than about 1/4 of its height is very informative. Patience in this living art form is a primary aspect. You have started it on a path to becoming a prize bonsai, anyone would love to accomplish or better yet have and nurture. Thumbs up my friend.

[@MiltonChang-ee6rq]

Thank you!

[@bonsaiheirloom]

Exactly, you've got it! I hope your bonsai are doing well! :)

[@jeffhurst4744]

@@bonsaiheirloom majority are doing good. Lost 2 mature trees to disease, an 2 to unknown causes. Sprayed for disease, but must have missed a spot or two on 2 that died. It was a fast, hidden, growth that affects both deciduous and evergreens. Fortunate it only affected two trees. Gotta stay on your toes. 😁

[@MDMARaver]

Highly informative and inspirational as always. 👍🏻 Thank you for your videos, Milton! 😊

[@MiltonChang-ee6rq]

Thanks!@

[@jonathanzellner906]

Another amazing video! These are all so much inspiration for me to keep working on my garden trees.

[@MiltonChang-ee6rq]

Great!

[@johnberry1107]

Yes. Brownie points are good. Thank you.

[@MiltonChang-ee6rq]

🙂 How doesn't ?

[@adamthorvaldson7099]

Your videos are great! I'm learning so much. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@MiltonChang-ee6rq]

EWnjoy your hobby!

[@growclipbonsaiforseniors1951]

Nice the way you explained how you did the oak in the ground. This is a great tutorial. Superb!

[@MiltonChang-ee6rq]

Thanks!

[@CMENBONSAIOFFICIAL]

good explanation. Thank You

[@MiltonChang-ee6rq]

You are welcome!

[@tanarehbein7768]

Wow 😮shocking how much you cut off that garden oak! You are more brave ( and patient) than me to get the perfectly developed trunk.

[@MiltonChang-ee6rq]

How else :-)?

[@lindac446]

Oh my .. so wonderful to see this! I assume the 'channel' you dug around the roots is to begin trimming the roots?

[@MiltonChang-ee6rq]

Yes...and to force the growth of. fibrous roots. This is being conservative...so I will never kill the tree especially when I dig it up i the spring.

[@DungLe-rn9cf]

It looks very good. Beautiful informal upright shape! Would be a beautiful bonsai!

[@bonsaiheirloom]

Thank you very much!

[@darleneboyd1437]

Thank you for this lesson. Lots of oaks in my area of the country.

[@patchymcq]

nice oak. looking forward to video on soil mix. I got some sandy loam in bulk from a nursery today so I will be putting it to the test!

[@MiltonChang-ee6rq]

Great! Please share your experience with us.

[@jayceebaybee4233]

Fascinating! I have less an interest in bonsai as I do in keeping my indoor trees pruned and happy, but I may have learned more from your channel in an hour than I have with the rest of youtube. Maybe I will get into bonsai at some point, I do think I would enjoy it. I just bought a cojoba arborea seedling to grow as an indoor tree, but I have heard it can also be used well for bonsai. Very interested in the soil video you mentioned that you may do in the future, and in all your thoughts on the technical side of tree care that may differ from conventional wisdom.

[@MiltonChang-ee6rq]

Intrsesting seed pod. A word for word trnaslation of bonsai is pot planting...Why not, if ths tree tolerates indoor lighting. Easy trnasitioin for you to grow the traditionalb onsai...since you already know how to grow trees in pots. Have fun!

[@JOYCEEINSIDLER]

Would you consider doing a video that shows how you chisel out a dead portion you don’t need or want?

[@MiltonChang-ee6rq]

Sure...any one can...nothing more than chisel out what you don't ned. Just do it!

[@mcbabs7495]

Un grand merci à vous pour ce bon moment!

[@MiltonChang-ee6rq]

Merci!

[@AdivParadise]

I have several planted aquariums, and in the freshwater aquarium hobby, we've also discovered that substrates like clay, sand, etc result in far superior growth relative to nutrient-rich substrates with lots of spaces. The plants still need nutrients, of course, which the aquarist will add in via root tabs or a layer of dirt, osmocote, etc, but the clay (usually in the form of semi-baked clay pieces like unscented organic kitty litter or plain oil-dri from the hardware store) will hold onto quite a lot of nutrients, and the sand and clay will encourage much more fibrous root growth, and the root fibers will be a lot finer with a lot more branching. With nutrient-loaded aquasoils that are the aquarium equivalent of compost, plants have thicker, more vigorous roots, but because fibrous roots are better, the growth is not as vigorous. I have an aquarium where I did a layer of oil-dri, then a bunch of root tabs, then sand, and it has more explosive growth than all my other tanks, including an anubias that was advertised to grow to 8-10" and is instead pushing 3-4 feet.

[@ShaneLovesGardening]

Thank you for another wonderful video Mr. Milton! My question today is similar to what i asked on your recent maple video. Do you have any experience working with North American Oak trees for Bonsai material? I have a few dozen oaks in my back yard in West Virginia that I did exactly what you did and chopped them way back. I was wondering if the North American Varieties could be used as bonsai as well?

[@MiltonChang-ee6rq]

In addition to the CA life oak, I also recently did a Vally Oak, which have leaf very much like the American While Oak...which we don't grow much in CA. Please check the previous video

[@MANNY100123]

Thank you! Looking forward to the next upload! :)

[@MiltonChang-ee6rq]

Please stay tuned

[@chrishinks46]

Thankyou. Very edifying.

[@OutsidethePot]

Great video. I’ve been tempted to do this. I guess the only reason I don’t is I have no trees in my property lol. I do take a little of trees from the wild.

[@MiltonChang-ee6rq]

Yamadori is usually a good starting point. hve fun!

[@jawwadhaider5908]

Sir great great work ❤ Very informative video 👍 Thank you so much 🌹

[@NeilWatson-bc9xj]

“With that in mind”….I will keep going, thanks for the video. 😊

[@WANDERER0070]

That was amazing ! 😊

[@tjgionet]

Thank you! Very inspiring

[@MiltonChang-ee6rq]

Great! Thank you!

[@Poppy_love59]

Looks much more like a Holly Bush rather than an Oak due to the scalloped leaves !

[@MiltonChang-ee6rq]

Definitely from an acorn. Besidews the leaves are not as bright green, Pleas stayed tuned...I will commenbt on my Wednesday Q&A on how to identify garden planbrts.

[@andreasknogler585]

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quercus_agrifolia

[@michaelwenzel3196]

I now live in Maine I was born in California. These species of oaks with the holly like leaves are quite different than the white and rad oaks of the Northeast

[@jonathannumer5415]

This is a coast live oak.

[@jonathannumer5415]

Live oaks have scalloped leaves when young

[@johng3669]

Wonderful video. I believe a little more detail on going around the tree with the shovel every couple months would be a good addition. Oaks sprout in my yard by the dozens every year and I’ve now taken an interest in how best to collect them for bonsai since taking up the hobby. If I understand correctly you started going around the tree 2-3 feet from the trunk and digging about 1/8 of a circle every couple months so in a year you have dug a complete circle around the tree?

[@MiltonChang-ee6rq]

That is correct..dig around partically until you go around... As far as I digging around,.,..,.I just illustrate...and leae the digging to my helpers. Hey, I am an oks guy!

[@vicduenas6615]

Sir...So beautiful tree for bonsai

[@rodgresczyk2920]

Thank you

[@MiltonChang-ee6rq]

Welcom!

[@andrewdobosz3682]

Hey Mr.chang, i gotta ask when doing such an extensive root prune like you did with the reciprocating saw, would you ever put some rooting hormone around the cut to increase root production, i know it's probably unnecessary. But I'm curious as to if that's something that could potentially be beneficial. Thanks as always

[@MiltonChang-ee6rq]

I don';t but that's a good idea.

[@ShootingtheSoil]

like what you said about the clay and compost. I have seen compost biology increase under the microscope with the addition of rock dust. Biology seems to want both organic matter and minerals to be at its best. There are minerals in organic matter but some biology's function is to pull minerals from sand silt and clay... so no sand silt or clay and the soil food web is not fully complete!

[@jejakbonsai95]

Very inspiring, thank you.. New subscriber 👍👍

[@bonsaiheirloom]

Thanks for the sub! Welcome!

[@jejakbonsai95]

Your welcome brother

[@Carahobibonsai]

Indonesia like bonsai❤❤

[@MiltonChang-ee6rq]

Thanks! I was on a roup bonsai tour to China ...I beieve Budi Sulistyo was on it too. He is very good!

[@thomasmets2152]

Once again so inspiring. One question, how do you decide or know which branche is the Apex?

[@bonsaiheirloom]

Choose a branch near to top going off in the direction where it fits the design…and let it grow thick. Which one you choose is by definition the right choice!

[@louismilienou5442]

Nice video

[@MiltonChang-ee6rq]

thanks!

[@DeMiesch]

Absolutely well deserved 👍 it sounds funny how you call them “volunteer” consistently, anyone know why that is?

[@MiltonChang-ee6rq]

that is a standard term meaning they popped up because the seed dropped there,,..,not planted there by human.

[@annelessick3163]

I get 4 or 5 volunteer gingko saplings, and a few oaks and dogwoods every spring in my yard in southern Wisconsin. When I cut a 8foot oak a few years back, it is now 6 stems each about ( feet tall. This might be a project for me.

[@stevescott245]

I'm noticing what you are working on as you call a live oak tree. But in uk this looks very different from our English oak tree. Your leaves almost look like holly leaves..

[@susanbossert6833]

The Coast Live Oak is Quercus agrifolia, and is known for its holly-like leaves. Very different from your English Oak, Quercus robur.

[@andreasknogler585]

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quercus_agrifolia

[@bwsailer]

Can you explain or point me to some articles or resources about cutting off the top of an existing tree to force bottom branches to grow? I've tried to look through your videos and search for this online, but I haven't been able to find any information on this. I've really been enjoying your videos and it has made me interested in getting started with bonsai. And since I'm kind of older, I wanted to explore the techniques that don't require as much time to get a bonsai started.

[@MiltonChang-ee6rq]

That is well know...when ou cut off a brach, what is left will shoot out more...Same when you cut the top...the the energy goes to the bottom branches.

[@paulmueller-bruehl783]

thanks for that video. can you let me know where you get all your bigger bonsai pots?

[@MiltonChang-ee6rq]

I buy them when I come acoss them like bonsai clubs...Most are made inJapan and China...I bought a bunch years ago from YiXing China... apolace know of its potteries.

[@OjaiBonsai]

In my experience with live oaks they grow a tap root straight down. Not good for bonsai. I have found a few with good roots. Careful they also have crazy laws against cutting them

[@MiltonChang-ee6rq]

Yes...Not allow to cut many heritage trees.Small trees are OK. Yes they have long tap roots. You just have to dig sideways to cut that off when it got to the right size tree to encourage surface roots to grow, Have fun. Never fear!

[@marcoreptile86]

Very nice piece! What kind of oak is it?

[@thegreenmanalishiyamadori371]

Stone-oak

[@mentalyentil]

Do you ever air layer the top section? Or do you typically reduce and discard?

[@bonsaiheirloom]

I generally cut and discard…since there are many volunteer seedlings around my garden.

[@johnnorman-r4f]

Hi great content to your videos watched loads i have a question for you how many trees do you loose jurying this prosses thank you in advance .. Bj in the uk

[@MiltonChang-ee6rq]

None...recently a number if trees I dug died because they dried out.

[@thegreenmanalishiyamadori371]

One question Sir: why dont you use a knobcutter,to clean the cuttingpoints?

[@bonsaiheirloom]

I do have a knob cutter but I just didn't have it with me today. :)

[@thegreenmanalishiyamadori371]

@@bonsaiheirloom I thought about you dont like to cut so deep as an knobcutter will go,Sir???

[@judlpd]

Rather like beekeeping, all bonsai growing is local. I wonder how growers in wetter climates with colder winters would get on with your soil mix. Not very well would be my guess.

[@MiltonChang-ee6rq]

I don't think that would make any difference. To be certain, please tell us how it works out for you...assuming you winterize your bonsai like all your bonsai.

[@alexandrulaita2673]

Hello sir! I have a sequoia in my garden, and I was wondering if I can turn it into a bonsay or just modify it if I do different cuts

[@bonsaiheirloom]

You can google Redwood bonsai…They are quite popular now…could look nice. Enjoy!

[@alexandrulaita2673]

@@bonsaiheirloom thank you very much sir!

[@alexandrulaita2673]

@@bonsaiheirloom thank you very much sir!

[@blackmetalfurboi6849]

Any advice on virgina juniper "apple cedar rust" i just got a nursery stock juniper yesterday and noticed this morning rust on it, im not sure if the tree is worth saving or not

[@MiltonChang-ee6rq]

Please talk to your talk to your local nursery person. Hopefully it is due to other issue since commercial trees are monitored to be disease free..we surely have never seen this problem here in CA.

[@blackmetalfurboi6849]

@@MiltonChang-ee6rq thank you for your response, i am in eastern canada and got the juniper from a Wal-Mart garden centre, i will try to contact the nursery that supplied them, thanks

[@blackmetalfurboi6849]

I learned my lesson from buying trees at Wal-mart

[@thegreenmanalishiyamadori371]

Have similar Problem with orange Pearrust... Gardener said burn it😢

[@thegreenmanalishiyamadori371]

Sir, I wonder if it's possible to airlayer an oaktree? I have begun to try it but dont know if it will work🤷‍♂️

[@bonsaiheirloom]

I do not have firsthand experience…Likely to work…if you do not let it every dry out. Please keep us posted of your progress. Appreciate the feedback.

[@Chillfam]

I did one too. It won't be ready till end of June. Hopefully it works

[@thegreenmanalishiyamadori371]

@@Chillfam hi,what Kind of oak are you layering??? Mine is Quercus robur/ german oak

[@Chillfam]

@thegreenmanalishiyamadori371 I think it's a post oak. I have a lot of oaks, I really need to learn what type they are 😆.

[@vicmadeira6898]

Being newly retired am I getting to old to be a beginner bonsai hobbyist? Bonsai trees can take years.

[@MiltonChang-ee6rq]

Now adays 90 year old is not uncommon...time to start is NOW! A bonsai can look pretty respectable in less than 5 years! Have fun...but you must start now!

[@vicmadeira6898]

@@MiltonChang-ee6rq Thanks. Joining a local Bonsai club in my area.

[@Chillfam]

​@@vicmadeira6898yamdori.

[@Incorrigiblewinnie]

Hello Milton, Do you sell your bonsai?

[@bonsaiheirloom]

Yes, I will sell bonsai later this year. Please sign up for my email announcements at bonsaiheirloom.com. Thank you for your interest!

[@chaiwatpotichanid]

🥰🥰

[@MiltonChang-ee6rq]

Thanks!

[@BondWarrior]

You should. Of air layered it to plant again

[@MiltonChang-ee6rq]

I could...but want to do a demo...Also I''d rther work on an established tree.

[@AlphaMontero]

This is actually a Holly tree.

[@yoult]

No, california live oak (Quercus agrifolia) is correct.

[@2tedros]

oak tree ???? doesnt look like i know onw

[@jonathannumer5415]

It is a Coast Live Oak

[@Peter-jm1is]

It’s no oak, but a holly….

[@anthonybrubaker7105]

I have no doubt this guy knows more about trees than me, but I can't help but think the same.

[@Darkhorse77777]

It's a Holly Oak..........

[@deedorothypapineau6920]

That is not an oak tree on my planet.

[@virolfestrellado9425]

It's looks like Holly or holley.

[@thegreenmanalishiyamadori371]

Its a stoneoak quercus ilex from Southern climate...

[@JanetCoulby]

I know there are different types of oaks

[@matseklundh8241]

I was wondering the same but I’m from Europe 🤷‍♂️

[@thegreenmanalishiyamadori371]

@@matseklundh8241 its a stone-oak...quercus Ilex🙋🏻‍♂️

[@BodiesByJason]

You would expect a bonsai this large to be very old but it’s not. Is this really bonsai? You dig a tree out of the ground and cut 95% of its roots away, stick it is a pot and call it bonsai. I doubt this tree lives. I’d be more impressed with a tree that large that started its life in a pot.

[@mljcab1]

I don't believe you know much about the art of bonsai. Collecting mature trees in the wild is more consistent with the history of bonsai than starting a tree from a seed or digging up a seedling to grow it in a pot. The goal of developing a majestic bonsai takes too many years for a person to handle in a single life time. Developing a bonsai from a mature wild tree provides a person with the opportunity to craft a real bonsai within their lifetime.

[@TheRealMsPeaches]

This is not a live oak. It is a holly.

[@andreasknogler585]

No. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quercus_agrifolia

[@andreasknogler585]

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Live_oak

[@TheRealMsPeaches]

Thank you. Easy to the leaves are similar. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ilex_aquifolium_in_the_Tashkent_Botanical_Garden.jpg