Creating a Juniper Bonsai from Yamadori material

[@bonsaiempire]

This is a free lecture from our Advanced Bonsai Course, with Bjorn Bjorholm. For more information and more free previews, see: www.bonsaiempire.com/courses/advanced-course

[@ecojoe2214]

Did thus specific tree in the video ever get video in its final form??

[@jimpaterson9267]

Really great job explaining each step and the decisions that need to be made (an why you've made a particular decision) in styling the tree. This is well beyond my abilities but certainly gives me something to work towards. I learned a ton in the 30min free preview! Thank you.

[@bonsaiempire]

Glad you liked it Jim! We just wanted to show the kind of content that is in our premium / online courses :-)

[@Admiral_Pumpout]

You have such a good presenting style, certainly better than some of your contemporaries. Your videos always come across as informative, helpful, measured and constructive rather than rushed, egotistical, preachy and superior. It’s always a pleasure to watch.

[@Puro_Peru]

Amazing! I'm not doing bonsai, just enjoy to watch. I will imagine that some people have ended up breaking a main branch trying to bend it. Hearing it snap must be so painfull. Great video👍🏼

[@MattBeckley]

I was trying to wire a downward sweeping branch on a holly I had been working on for ten years, holly is notorious for being brittle , and yeah.......it didn't end well.

[@rodneyferris4089]

I really liked option three too! I found it so peaceful and less “prickly”. The perpendiculars and horizontals pointed to the state of the soul.

[@maplejapanese9375]

Awesome, congratulations for such a great job and for knowing how to explain the step by step in the design.

[@bonsaihunter007]

the way you explain ... wow! factor of your demo....

[@bonsaiempire]

Bjorn is a great teacher right!

[@AndrewNation13]

Thank-you so much for exposing us to this interesting skill, very beautifully designed

[@milanetc4865]

Your videos are an invaluable resource. Thank you for uploading. Amazing!

[@NOOOKevin]

im so surprised that branch held up with such a dramatic change in angle

[@kokona87]

Looking at the dead wood before he rotated the planter. It appeared to me like a stag upon a ledge with tree over the cliff edge. Vary nice inspired foresight in artistic creativity!

[@Gr3ylok]

I know I'm getting old als I enjoy watching these for hours without breaks

[@sophie716]

That tree is flexing his branches like muscles. Great tree, great video.

[@gabrielarevalillo1105]

Great video as always Bjorn, next time i wish i can see the final result. Be well!!

[@pedrohhjob]

C'mon, show us the final picture!! This is a astonishing tree!

[@IPC-es9lt]

It's a great job. I thank you for all the videos that you play. There were things I lacked learned through you

[@Workof]

This tree didnt even need any change, it was an amazing bonsai already

[@casaroccafamilyking]

Captivating presentation, your knowledge and experience are enthralling to listen to.

[@xistsixt]

I find it very easy to get rid of the bark of died veins with the help of a bronze or stainless steel brush attached to the dremel at 10k-15k r/pm. It's way more comfortable than the knife method. Especially with big xamples of junipers. I have a approx 1.5m high juniperus communis alpina (saxatilis) I spend a lot of time during the last couple weeks with deadwood cleaning... I've been trying out all methods I could find and liked it most. Some big bark pieces can be grinded down with an 80 flapwheel and the rest can be done with the brushes. Greetings from Switzerland

[@frankharden8953]

"dont knick the live tissue, but if its too thick you can remove 30-40% of it"

[@pacovl46]

The color difference before the lime sulfur looked so much better.

[@crystalm4324]

Holy branch bending Batman!!! Can you imagine this guy with a fake Christmas tree??? I loved that bottom branch he wired though it was beautiful. I always thought it was drift wood that they used in the bonsai trees. Who knew it was actually part of the tree.

[@andreerasmi7096]

Fantastic job! Very competent,good explanation,masterclass!

[@coshigould]

This is a rather attractive bonsai.

[@meganmarts5769]

I saw so many juniper that looked like this in new Mexico. I always assumed it was a young tree growing out of an old dead one and not the same tree.

[@jacostrauss9167]

Thank you for this video, very informative!!

[@sofrostudio745]

you are amazing man i cant wait till i start my first one.

[@giovanimans4ni]

*Perfect juniper, a dead wood showing how this tree survive in the nature.*

[@topdeckdog]

THANKS FOR MAKING THAT COMMENT BOLD. IT'S MORE IMPORTANT THAN ALL THE OTHERS.

[@punchagario920]

@@topdeckdog *lmfao*

[@newera3757]

Imagine life of this tree. You are chilling on the side of the mountain for over 300 years, enjoying wind, beautiful view, nature... and after all this time some guy is kidnaping you to his basement. He is peeling your skin off, he is putting chain (wire) around your all body, he is bending your bones and he is drilling holes into your body. What a sidestick way to turn perfectly good tree into eye pleasing cripple. Imagine if this tree can scream and cry. You will never hear end of it.

[@zeeafraud7898]

bruh wtf it’s just a plant 😂😂 do u avoid stepping on grass to avoid hurting ? 😂do u wanna kill the countless animals that use trees as their habitat? never knew there were anti bonsai activists

[@newera3757]

@@zeeafraud7898 Grass is getting hair done when you mowing and massage when you walking on it. This plant was kidnaped and tortured in most cruel way.

[@aluckyman1475]

@@zeeafraud7898 There's wackos everywhere bro. 😂

[@geanbaldarragi9581]

Excellent video

[@tigermajor9467]

This is amazing ! Well Done Sir

[@jammindrewfish4186]

so many features to choose from!

[@HrRezpatex]

Thank you for a great video. Its of course a matter of taste, but i often think they do the dead trunk to white, so that it no longer look natural. And one of the things that i look for in Bonsai, is that it must look like it could be a natural tree, only in a mini version.

[@paranoid1944]

Petter Eliseussen. Quite right Petter...."Unless........yes, I have a forty foot tree in the garden and I think I will get the chain saw out, and the farming fork to try to make it look like a 2 foot bonsai I have. What's that dear? Er!, My wife says "Don't be silly and grow up".

[@Ijoss]

Any update on this tree? It's by far my favourite juniper.

[@deploribusunum3894]

Very helpful video. I learned a lot. Thank you!

[@remekficko]

Fascinating! I bet that tree did not expect doing yoga at the age of 300

[@evapektas3832]

very very good explained Thank you...the best video

[@Sombike]

Really well explained video. I'm a bit late in age finding out about bonsai, but its really interesting to me, will probably keep looking into it more deeply as my new years resolution and maybe even try to grow a few myself :D

[@Skinflaps_Meatslapper]

With such care taken on this tree, I was a bit surprised to see that there was no pre-drilled hole for the anchor screw. I'd be worried that the screw would split the grain apart on the dead wood.

[@neilschorr2062]

There may have been another angle to consider as the front. 90 degrees clockwise from the original back. Able to see the live wood to the soil without seeing the look of the back. Just a suggestion.

[@charleyedwards2121]

This is incredible, he sounds intelligent

[@djuzla89]

That tree has some serious arm-wrestling biceps

[@caycanhvacuocsong]

very beautiful bonsai !

[@RyanDunbabin]

Anyone know the song name at 25:15? Bjorn you always have sick music, would you consider putting the track names in the description?

[@inyobill]

What a fantastic tree

[@MattBlytheTheOne]

I cannot honestly say you improved upon nature. But I like the way the video cut you off at the end :D

[@connorwilson8450]

He explains things so well. I want him to teach me everything!

[@MattBlytheTheOne]

Read a text book like he did.

[@Ocelot2000]

Question: How long do you keep the wires in place? When does the tree learn to keep that shape by itself?

[@Nizzon.]

You could have at least shown a picture of the final design.

[@hallucinaten]

i'm pretty sure that's years away. he said he didn't want to remove any more this year so it doesn't develop juvenile foliage

[@anitarussum4590]

Nathan ...that’s true, it will sometimes thank 10 years before it has the perfect shape. It can’t be rushed. But will live for hundreds, if bonsai masters take care of it.

[@TrieuCuongOfficial]

Thank you for sharing tutorial bonsai.

[@moihawk666]

beautiful video thank you ... very very cool

[@joemulkerins5250]

Love the videos

[@GammaGeO8]

thanks for the video, it is great. The work looks fantastic. Saludos desde Costa Rica.

[@stuff6218]

You really walloped your thumb, didn't you.

[@JasonAWilliams-IS]

owie

[@advertech]

what do you think of Jute Twine

[@huckwild6464]

i know this comment will never be seen more than likely but i have a very very curious question about elevation. How do you feel trees react to being brought from a higher elevation to closer to sea level? i have done this and feel like the trees struggle after 5-6 years being brought to a lower elevation from the rockies. this is extremely noticeable in aspens and birch. maybe this is all in my head but i do believe there has to be something to it

[@Morudae]

6 years studying under a bonsai master in Japan, a master does not make... but it sure is damn close lol. bravo! subbed and liked!

[@victortarimo1943]

This art of bonsai is beautyfull

[@hymnandhearse]

Is there a follow up video on this tree?

[@sationobudi1706]

Hebat! Terima kasih Bjorn

[@ckb1137]

I somewhat like both appearances, with and without the excess bark. I know it's not in the traditional style but it gives it a more earthy realistic feel. Just a personal taste i guess.

[@Skinflaps_Meatslapper]

I felt the same, the bark gave it a lot of fascinating natural character, but seeing the striated and exposed wood underneath looked great too.

[@arcbrush]

Wow, what a tree! What will stop it from dying off like the rest of it's trunk though? It's almost dead

[@meregaming1770]

It's in perfectly good health, or he would not be working on it. That's just the way it is.

[@dereksaunders4462]

The live vein travels from the soil to the top. It was either found or made with the shari or deadwood showing.

[@vinniecharity]

Is this tree available online somewhere to see what it looks like after completion? Thanks in advance...

[@valipantea]

you made me love bonsais very much, to bad i can=t afford one, wonder if i can grow one or find one back home in our woods

[@RepublicOfIraq]

Are you brain dead? Bonsai trees aren't natural

[@RepublicOfIraq]

And yes you can grow one but you will have to prune it and wire it and take high care of it I recommend Juniper if you want to grow one

[@messyties]

You can dig up a tree and shape it to bonsai, no problem

[@MrKlipche]

How rich do you have to be that you would choose copper over aluminum?

[@MrRomka404]

Instead of removing the dead wood from the branch (before bending), would it have been possible to soak it (24-48 hours) and bend it all together?

[@KarolyDravecz]

Thank you!

[@bettybho2168]

Does anyone know if its desireable to plant a tree around deadwood to make it look like a really old tree even if it's not?

[@dalebrett7458]

I like your top may I arks were did you get it thank you

[@freddyfourfingerz9126]

That was amazing

[@artao5]

I'm curious if hemp fiber can be used in place of raffia? Or other similar natural fibers such as jute.

[@TomTomTomTom538]

artao5 rafia is tried and tested, very cheap and is available in most garden centres and even supermarkets. Why even bother trying anything else?

[@MikeOxmellsGrimm8]

He might have a few spare "hemp trees" out the back...

[@TomTomTomTom538]

Parabola0086 lol disguised amongst some acer palmatums

[@MikeOxmellsGrimm8]

Hahaha exactly.

[@guernica69]

Dude, I hope you used the hemp. Pretty sure that will work too.

[@dibiodepaint]

very nice

[@endor8witch]

that is a beautiful tree

[@ThePoehladian]

Awesome !

[@adriaanheeneman6668]

So how does it look now?

[@isorokudono]

Do you not have to worry about electrolysis between the copper and the tree? Wondering if Manzanita would be good for Bonsai?

[@Skinflaps_Meatslapper]

The copper will corrode and leave behind some green oxide, but it won't harm the tree and the oxide is removed fairly easily.

[@isorokudono]

@@Skinflaps_Meatslapper copper kills trees.

[@Skinflaps_Meatslapper]

@@isorokudono No, metallic copper does not kill trees. That's a very persistent myth, especially the myth of killing trees with a copper nail. A tree will tolerate a copper nail just as well as it would any other nail (you don't even have to take my word for it, a quick google search is all you need). Furthermore, the copper wire isn't even contacting the living tissue as there's a layer of protective bark over it, so there's quite literally no interaction between the copper and the living tree. Oh, and to answer your other question, yes, Manzanita lends itself quite well to bonsai. provided you can give it the care it needs. Collected specimens are quite difficult to care for, and many have failed in the attempt to transition them to potted plants. However, if you get it right, the contrast between living tissue and deadwood is a fantastic visual, the Manzanita trunks have a natural tendency for interesting twisted growth, they'll flower in the spring and even bear edible fruit (depending on species). They're best suited as a larger than average bonsai, given the relatively large leaf proportions of most species, and some are simply too large for bonsai entirely.

[@marcelhustleassel8776]

Is there an update to this tree?

[@caesaranthonyrnrnt7330]

What’s your opinion on tanukis?

[@robijakus6860]

"it's a branch splitter" *literally shows some average ass carpenter pliers* i'm sawry but XĐ i laughed my ass off at that point

[@JAMES-dv5ns]

Yeah it is funny because they use any tools anyone can get cheaper yet the “branch splitter” they just want you to pay more money. The guys music is corny too.

[@robijakus6860]

@@JAMES-dv5ns ikr??? they just wanna rip you the fuck off

[@tinamariemalinowski2745]

thank for sharing hat is the name of the tool you use to remove some of the dead bark the one with the wood handle

[@neschek358]

When you see it? Or just looking for Jin tools in Bonsai shops.

[@walkingbear8582]

Many thanks

[@mrbeeaans6350]

What song is playing through out this video like at 25:35?

[@cyrusvirus89]

Do you core trees to estimate age?

[@jaymanalo_20]

Any update of this Bonsai?

[@fabiorodriguez78]

Bjorn, why you remove the bark of the trunk? Does not this show the age of the plant? Regards!

[@youngmoneytrama7405]

He mentions these types of junipers need to be brushed and old bark removed at least once a year to expose pests and bacteria that may be growing there, as well as coating with lime sulfur afterwards.

[@fabiorodriguez78]

Thanks Man

[@davewilliams9948]

Great video! Just curious, was separating the live vein just above the 90 degree bend ever a consideration? Oh, and cover that left thumb! I’ll never be able to un-see that! LOL!

[@athenabunting9121]

Ok but how does it look now?? :O

[@robertrei7944]

hi ;) watch this quite often. but today, one specialist told me that i could bend. juniper branch- consiting of life and deadwood by somehow isolating both. bending the life wtth rafffia like usuall. so i understood. and isolating the dead and heating it to bend also that. and finallay bend both together. is that possible? or just a way to sell a live course? like to have that, but i am not shure if posssible anyway. you know. never hearded that before… you can teach me? o dońt mind the afford… regatds robert

[@kdiddy4714]

Freaking awesome

[@dindot15]

Look good bjorn

[@yoyis95]

nice job

[@aoiahiru670]

That lime sulfur says "for winter protection against scale, spider mites, powdery mildew..." on it. Do you use the same one in spring? What is the difference between lime sulfur used in spring versus winter? EDIT: Not a free lecture. A free teaser. Down vote.

[@luiscalleja_]

How hard is it to become a Bonsai apprentice? In terms of, do I go to japan and knock some doors. How did you get started ?

[@matthewclomo5265]

Luis Calleja start growing trees and watching KZbin clips about it. Google as well

[@caculaymulkin]

This same youtuber has a video on exactly that. Doesn't sound like it was easy. I'd say far from it. Japanese shokunin in any trade often don't actively "teach", generally you have to hang around them and actively "learn" and they don't exactly invite people to come learn, that's why it takes years and years. I'd say this guy has gone and done (and had the godly patience and perseverance) to do what very few foreigner have accomplished before, in learning this art form, he might be one of the only non-Japanese to have such a level of understanding about bonsai cultivation, his knowledge seems quite evidently apparent. Kudos.

[@gilmarriner3011]

Nicely explained, and a great instructional video. Music sucks though, sorry 😐

[@VanCliffton]

yeah how you gonna have intense electronic music with something peaceful and meditative like doing bonsai...

[@deft1abc1]

How do you even learn so much about bonsai making😆? Is there a school or something?

[@mirhasanoddname]

In the description it says he apprenticed on Japan for 6 years

[@pulsar9354]

Why does the little tree have dead wood? Do real big trees also have it?

[@Tungsten91]

Some trees sustain damage which causes some portions of the tree to die out, many trees have at little bit of deadwood, often from medium branches that fall down due to wind. Its very uncommon to find an example as extreme as this one though.

[@inyobill]

Reminiscent of the Bristlecones in the wild in the white Mountains.

[@Anyareddy161]

I can’t believe he can take so much wood of without hurting the tree

[@tallunique]

We're removing 300 yr old plant individuals from wilderness areas?

[@doomvanhardcore8313]

No. It wouldve been kept in a pot for those years. It would be huge had it grown outdoors in soil for 300 years. They trim the roots to keep it small

[@NatureShy]

@@doomvanhardcore8313 300 year old trees from harsh alpine environments in the mountains will grow much smaller and dwarfed than trees down in lower elevations. It is very natural to find naturally made "bonsaified" trees in the wilderness, called krumholtz trees. They can often be a few hundred years old and remain quite small.

[@ernestodibello4356]

Gracias ... Genio..👏👏👏