How to Make a Bonsai From a Garden Center Tree

Canadian bonsai master David Easterbrook explains how to transform a dwarf Norwegian spruce into a bonsai.
The end of summer and Fall is a great time for finding neglected nursery material with good potential at a discount price.
In this bonsai demonstration, David Easterbrook will do an initial pruning, styling and wiring to bring out a bonsai shape.
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Thanks for watching and sharing the passion of bonsai

[@bbrown7028]

David is the Bob Ross of bonsai trees.

[@BonsaiSociety]

Surprisingly I don't really know who Bob Ross is but I'll check out more of his work. I heard there was a good documentary about him on Netflix

[@bibnida7945]

@@BonsaiSociety Or just find his old PBS show in You Tube vids. He was the gentle uncle so many of us grew up with, even if we never actually painted :) Thanks for your content. The Bob Ross comparison is definitely a compliment!

[@vinniecharity]

@@BonsaiSocietyDavid, Bob Ross was an amazing landscape painter that was known for his “happy little trees”, and his very impressive Afro. He has his own channel on Roku TV, you should definitely check it out…

[@habutti]

I’ve watched countless hours of KZbin videos on the topic of bonsai. This video hands down has been the very best from a beginner’s point of view. For me the most important answer is the why., and David not only tells you what and how, but also provides the why. Thanks so much for the great video

[@tiffdunlap7995]

Well that was incredible…

[@dshevack1]

Very nice design. You do great work.

[@BlueJayBonsai]

David, thank you for all your contributions to the bonsai world, and now sharing them with the world on KZbin. 👍❤️🇨🇦

[@BonsaiSociety]

Thanks for your encouragement Jay

[@johnlloyd8630]

@@BonsaiSociety thanks David, I couldn't help but realize the PW white pot in the background. Proven winner is what it means, ya must be Canadian eh!!! Sheridan. Awesome job and I've subscribed to your channel... Cheers bud

[@emptymountain]

Great video David.

[@BonsaiEn]

Good stuff David, it's good to see you on KZbin sharing knowledge. I look forward to learning some new techniques from you.

[@BonsaiSociety]

Thanks it will be coming slowly but surely

[@OutsidethePot]

It seem you just bought this home from the green house. I don’t know what time of year this is but you really striped that tree. I also shop everywhere looking for old stock. I generally don’t strip it so far back. I prune it so light can get in, sort my branches, find the ones that need growth. Get that all together, fertilize snd leave to spring for the next pruning and training season. You are moving quite fast.

[@Bobby.fishes]

I have always wanted to give this a try. I would like to thank you for giving me the courage.

[@BonsaiSociety]

This is the best form of recognition anyone can offer me

[@MikeHunt-lz2hq]

Don't get to crazy with it as bonsai is a hobby that often borderlines an obsession. There's a right time of year for almost everything. So if you go buy a tree right now and do all these things to it this close to winter it likely wouldn't make it .So buy some trees learn to care for them while their in a pot and watch them flourish for a while and by the time repotting season comes you will likely be ready to tackle that hurdle . There's some great books out there like rhs wisely handbooks bonsai and also Brooklyn botanical gardens bonsai book

[@bonsaibaby8257]

@@MikeHunt-lz2hq so when is the right time to buy a tree to bonsai? 🤔

[@MikeHunt-lz2hq]

@@bonsaibaby8257 you can buy a tree any time you want to but in bonsai there's a saying and the saying goes there's a season and a reason for everything. So if you buy a tree close to winter don't try to style it and prune it and reduce the roots all at once bc the tree will likely die . These things take time .from nursery tree to styled and potted bonsai is a very lengthy journey and the process should span the period of 5 or more years . Buy a tree look at it for a few years see how it grows and what it likes or more like what it takes to make that tree thrive . After a couple years of getting familiar with said tree by now you should have a vision of a style or form that best suits that tree so now in the coming years it's time to take action to make your vision come to life. If the tree is healthy start with the top of the tree the canopy and thin it out and pick some branches that will stay or maybe decide if you want to build taper if there is none if you want to build taper you will cut the tree down to the lowest branch and turn the branch into a new leader wire it upright if it's not already. After that the tree will need to heal for a while . A year or two at least. Now after that's done and healing period has lapsed it's time to work on the roots bc a balance must be struck between top and bottom. If it's a pine or other conifer youll want to slowly reduce the roots bit by bit one step per one year with a healing year in between . After you've reduced your roots to fit into a bonsai pot with bonsai soil (the rocky stuff) now its time to work on ramifications of the branches and bifurcation on the roots this is the refinements process that is the purpose of the small pot and rocky soil to better aid in refinement. All this can't be done until your tree is at least 5 or more years old depending on what size of bonsai you want . If you want a larger tree you'll want a really thick trunk three inches around or more at least . If you take a seedling and put it into a small pot with rocky soil you'll end up with a really skinny poor looking tree 20 years later which is okay for one style iltari anything else patience is key also root work Nd potting is done in spring major pruning and trunk cuts are done in late fall or winter in most cases . Maintenance pruning can be done anytime in the spring to summer just be careful not to prune off flower buds.

[@edwinloyola2230]

@@BonsaiSociety Hi ! I like the way you present your videos and your trees are beautiful. May I know how do you keep your junipers in winter? Pls let me know.

[@walterknittweis5976]

Thank you so much for your wonderful teaching. you are a natural educator.

[@BonsaiSociety]

Thanks Walter! It's been almost 40 years that I've been teaching bonsai at the Montreal Botanical Garden's school of horticulture

[@jameskolb9507]

Thanks, enjoyed your presentation

[@giancarlozenari310]

You have rekindled my desire to form and grow bonsai. Thanks David, you will become an invaluable resource.

[@BonsaiSociety]

That's really nice of you Giancarlo

[@markday5797]

MR. Easterbrook I find your videos very interesting. Love hearing your voice very relaxing.

[@curtist358]

Thank you for this video. Very helpful! And thank you to whomever is doing the filming. 👍🏻🎬

[@BonsaiSociety]

My son does an incredible job on the content creation side!

[@sallymckenzie509]

I'm so glad I discovered your instagram page. I am in awe. Great job!

[@BonsaiSociety]

Thanks Sally! Glad you made it to my KZbin page as well

[@Courtenay-Dawn]

Thank you for this. I’m in Saskatchewan and honestly I have always wanted to attempt this. I am going to do this. Thank you

[@marcus7840]

Thanks for another great video.

[@bonsaibaby8257]

That big bonsai behind you on the left is beautiful!!!

[@MF-fc5vk]

Great work, loved this. Little beauty! Thankyou 👍

[@janeplatt8254]

Great video David, great shape love to watch your videos.😊🇬🇧❤️

[@tumizoomi202]

……. great video, Thanks for sharing!

[@mattbrennan647]

Awesome! Great tutorial David. You really transformed that spruce in no time. Certainly off to a great start. Keep growing. Thanks

[@BonsaiSociety]

Thank you this is what I've been doing throughout my entire career

[@caleighng8813]

Thank you for this video! Great for beginner 😊

[@WGH-ef5ze]

Lots of fun. Thanks much.

[@vladimirtrousil677]

Wow very pleasant surprise to find David producing KZbin channel videos For me very valuable info to find from the same geographic region Fantastic!! Keep up good work "my master"

[@BonsaiSociety]

Hi Vladimir I'm glad you found me on KZbin. Keep in touch

[@vladimirtrousil677]

@@BonsaiSociety Yes I will!! Can't-miss such great videos

[@sebastian8865]

Such a nice video Mr David, thanks for all the knowledge.

[@sallybeck7822]

That was so beneficial to me. So very many thanks. 😊

[@kimberlyduncan1053]

Thank you for sharing you amazing knowledge!

[@dthorne4602]

I love that this guy actually calls it the correct name, rather than Banzai!!!

[@ecojoe2214]

The tree turned out very nice. At first, I was skeptical as to its possible final outcome. But you did it justice. Well doe.

[@KitakuBonsai]

Sometimes it just all comes together at the last moment! 😁

[@johan5512]

Awesome, i am buying a tree and givning this a go. Thank you so much for your work.!

[@BonsaiSociety]

Yeah! Buy one tree! Buy several trees! That's the exciting thing about this

[@kristybui35]

I enjoy your video a lot. Excellent instructions.

[@corbinallen8034]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge with all of us who are just beginning our bonsai journeys.

[@harrietb2141]

Its a very nice shape .

[@yourmyslave10]

Thank you David!!!!!!!

[@FrediOlson]

I enjoyed that greatly. Thank you, so much, for sharing!

[@JimmyMins]

Excellent video,very helpful

[@mokdog666]

Great demo , looking forward to more ! 🙏🏻👍🍻

[@melissareves2865]

Thank you…this was excellent!

[@karenrowell9847]

On my way too get one,hopefully I can find the right materials!!

[@deraknis]

Love your videos! Love how much information you put into your videos it is much appreciated!!

[@nickdemetros]

Thank you so much for this!! Watching nursery stock content is one of the best ways to learn!

[@deanweller5789]

Great Video! Very helpful for a Bonsai beginner, Thank you David!

[@bonsaisn]

Video rất hay, cảm ơn bạn chia sẽ ❤

[@greje656]

Wow! Je ne savais pas qu'on avait un channel youtube de bonsai Quebecois!!! Subscribed!

[@BonsaiSociety]

Merci d'être parmi nous!

[@bonsaibuenobyalexb]

Very nice transformation... 😍👍👍

[@tyra3580]

I love your videos so much! They’re so informative yet very calm and easy to understand. Found this video and channel from the tiktok!!

[@KitakuBonsai]

Calm is key!! 😂

[@manubanuchi]

Great video David! Thank you for teaching us more about bonsais 🪴

[@BonsaiSociety]

Thank you for watching Manu!

[@c0ldlight1]

I learned so much from this video! Your words and hands explained so many things as you worked. I am really looking forward to taking the time to learn this. You have inspired me.

[@bradstringer944]

Love this… thank you 🙏🏽

[@jessicas7163]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge

[@dougg1075]

That’s a beautiful place you have there.

[@thetruthchannel7073]

Amazing transformation

[@Aidanslam]

love this

[@matthewwyjad]

Wonderful. I've just started my bonsai journey this fall exactly like this. I bought a Japanese garden juniper from the reject corner of the nursery up in Parry sound. So much fun.

[@Savio17101985]

Big fan of you David

[@petemckelvey2251]

came out looking great

[@kplante7881]

Thanks for sharing!

[@cassidykenny1329]

Thank you so much for sharing! The transformation is truly amazing!

[@BonsaiSociety]

Thanks Cass!

[@hippo5346]

So impressive , that you had the vision to turn something quite ugly into such a beautiful tree .

[@chuckycheese1]

GREAT WORK

[@switchkittykarla2123]

Great job! You are quite an artist!

[@kazman500]

Amazing video!

[@caileigh0luvs0u]

this is amazing

[@-ChrisD]

Excellent, well done :)

[@JamesDKlr]

Totally appreciate your sound decisions based on fundamental rules of bonsai. Wonderful use of tools, and great explanations. 👍

[@KitakuBonsai]

Good solid instructions and very helpful indeed!

[@karenrowell9847]

Yea he’s great,that was amazing! Tree too bonsai in 1 hr that’s skills

[@kevinprice7362]

That looks Amazing 😊

[@jimbobbfn]

Great video, thanks. Please do more follow up videos in the future so we can see the progress of the tree.

[@BonsaiSociety]

Yes perfect I will try! But given the young age of the channel I can't do too many follow-ups

[@harrietb2141]

This is the funniest part of creating a bonsai.

[@amandamcfaun517]

Thank you Sir for taking the time and sharing this content .Its definitely a great resource too get the beginner basics of the world of bonsai .Off too the nursery too look for a similar specimen....

[@KitakuBonsai]

Were you able to get one yet?

[@mcbabs7495]

Très intéressante démonstration, merci pour la vidéo!

[@eldadel]

beautiful

[@rosieg4813]

i will try one day soon thanks

[@KennetDeBondt]

Nice work, sir!

[@gurkhasbonsai.7093]

Wow great vedio master Love from 🇳🇵 Nepal

[@MissStylist]

Hi, this video was very interesting, thank you! Will there be a follow up video of how to tree looks now?

[@micahagresta]

Dude that was a really good video!!

[@gallelanka-enbonsai]

good job

[@Reuschman]

I think I'm going to give this a shot with a Black Hills Spruce from where I work

[@tiffdunlap7995]

You said “soul” “find the soul” of the tree. I knew it spoke to you. You’re also an artist and you can see the vision. Im just not an artist…but appreciate art and beauty.

[@greenlifekerala7437]

Bonsai❣️

[@samimurtomaki5534]

I like from your videos, but I like to point out that heat treating where you quickly take the copperwire out of the barbecue and cool it down in water sounds lot more like hardening that is an opposite of annealing. I also know that copper does not harden that way, but I'm not sure if it anneals that much either. If you have done it with good results it is good to know.

[@jamesglenn520]

You are correct. You need to heat it and then just let it cool. If you heat it and then cool it rapidly it will Temper it which is Hardening it. I've done plenty of blacksmithing and have used copper also.

[@victoriasatterthwaite6339]

What time of year were you in when doing this work? That one thing that mostly folks leave out - time of year and geography would be helpful. Thanks very much.

[@tgward313]

I usually use a soft water jet to wash out the top inch or so before I start scratching---

[@IMAMPONOROGOBONSAI]

Keren

[@zonabonsaiart1458]

👍👍👍

[@amstrogaming9109]

dang!

[@dougg1075]

If you want it to get larger , can you plant it in a large garden pot for a few years?

[@richardruckert7954]

Hi David...thank you for this Might you have time to compile a list of essential tools for a bonsai beginner?

[@MikeHunt-lz2hq]

Tools come later first all you need are trees and water and a place to keep them that's not inside . After you have learned to care for a tree for a season and fimd out what they like and dislike then tackle tools and styling .its estimated that around 80 percent of bonsai trees or trees bought for bonsai in general don't live past the first two months simply bc overzealous bonsai enthusiast buy evry tool known to man and every gauge of wire and they take this newly bought tree and apply 500 years worth of styling techniques in the wrong season and the trees suffer .

[@MikeHunt-lz2hq]

But you will need knob cutters long handled bonsai scissors jin pliers concave cutters wire cutters and some wire there are other tools as well but those are the basics that should get you started .stainless are best bc they won't rust and they do need cleaned after every use as to not pass infections and fungus

[@MikeHunt-lz2hq]

With bonsai slow and steady wins the race it is easy to get started but hard to resist the temptation to mutilize every tree you come into contact with lol I kno this from experience but everyone kills a few trees it's normal so if you get started and don't do all the things I said not to do and the tree still dies it's okay don't get discouraged

[@richardruckert7954]

@@MikeHunt-lz2hq thank you Mike

[@nicolem376]

Nice video! Would you now take it inside to grow under a grow light or leave it outside? What about over the winter? I know it’s an outdoor tree but I don’t think I would enjoy it if it was outside and I want to do this. Is there another you would recommend more for indoors (besides Schefflera)?

[@PoorGuyBonsai]

Is dwarf what you do to the plant while it's growing or is it a species in itself?

[@nightcoder5k]

Nice video. The question is will it survive after a few months. Please make a follow-up video if possible.

[@BonsaiSociety]

Sure I'll do a follow-up video in spring when it's repotted in its real pot. Not the one used in the video to give you an idea of the finished result

[@rmmc99]

Thanks for the great video! I've been experimenting with bonsai for a couple years and will always watch videos like this because everyone seems to have a new tip or trick I haven't heard before. Your Instagram let me here, BTW. I love all the videos and pics you post there.

[@KitakuBonsai]

Have you started with any trees yet?

[@rmmc99]

@@KitakuBonsai a couple of juniper procumbens, a few small native pines, and a few Chinese elms. The elms are just saplings at the moment, so just working on getting them a little stronger for next year.

[@KitakuBonsai]

@@rmmc99 sounds great! I’m hunting for some medium sized Chinese junipers for a Tanuki project this year.

[@rmmc99]

Ooooh, that sounds fun! What is the main thing you look for in a Chinese juniper when it comes to starting a Tanuki? I've always thought they looked beautiful when done well, but I don't think I'm ready to try.

[@KitakuBonsai]

@@rmmc99 for my current project I’m looking for 2 things - foliage color, I want a vibrant green like a itoigawa, and size because the 2 deadwood’s I have for the grafts are massive

[@user-gg7nl3xu9k]

Which nursery near Montreal offered the best species for Bonsai

[@chrisdimenna648]

since it was an "old forgotten tree in the back of the nursery" did they discount the price ?

[@BonsaiSociety]

Yes they gave me a deep discount

[@Bertkido]

What time of the year is this?

[@brucedeacon28]

👍

[@carynludwig6667]

I thought this time of year (almost Fall), was the wrong time to prune anything. I bought a dwarf Alberta spruce I want to shape, prune and wire, but thought I had to wait. I know not to repot it until early spring…. Timing of when to do what is the most confusing part of bonsai for me! 🤔 Will you greenhouse this tree after this procedure for the winter, or leave it out in it’s nursery pot?

[@BonsaiSociety]

I'll leave it outside. Ideally the best time to work a conifer is during the late fall and winter months but a lot of the branches were dead so I didn't remove that much actually and we had to let the light in to let the tree survive.

[@carynludwig6667]

@@BonsaiSociety thank you for replying. Lots to learn! Really enjoy your videos. Your experience shows!

[@BrettonAuerbach]

everyone must be wondering how this tree is looking 2 years later?