Creating Bonsai From Unusual Deciduous Trees

Professional bonsai artist David Easterbrook transforms old Alder nursery stock into a bonsai.
It's very uncommon to use this species of tree but the result is surprising.

[@madanank4578]

Thanks for your informative vedio and salute you for sharing such knowledge.

[@yusefsvacina9389]

Besides the gorgeous trunk, my first thought was, "What is he going to do with THAT!" You didn't disappoint! Amazing content, David.

[@BonsaiSociety]

Thanks Yusef glad you enjoyed the demo!

[@hanspeter6198]

Thank you David for the video. Your channel will grow for sure. The quality of you content and your knowledge speaks for it self.

[@BonsaiSociety]

Thank you for the encouragement :)

[@ddriese]

Hi David, any chance you could make a video updating us on this tree and some of the other trees you've worked on in the past months? It'd be interesting to see their growth / current state! Love the content, please keep making videos!

[@BonsaiSociety]

Coming soon!

[@carynludwig6667]

Amazing! You are the first bonsai teacher to say it’s OK to prune deciduous trees this time of year. I had heard to never prune in Fall. I live in zone 5b in Montana, and our winters are pretty wild at times. If you leave that Alder out next winter in that beautiful pot, aren’t you afraid of damage???? Cracking from freezing??? Do you greenhouse any of your trees? Please do a video about over wintering in cold climates….it would be very helpful for us new to bonsai. Would love to see this tree next year after it’s repot and new growth, too!

[@alexkern9134]

Yeah, won't the pruning make the buds grow?

[@nightcoder5k]

Nice video. Thank you. I usually learn a thing or two from your video.

[@buhaybukid-mixvlog7066]

Good day sir thanks for sharing full support sending back #bonsai toturial thanks

[@OddBonsai]

Yes, people tend to look for species traditionally used in bonsai but there are a lot of other species that can make a great bonsai. Like the result, you did a great job!

[@andrewsalhany5665]

The Japanese used what they had, so should we :)

[@OddBonsai]

@@andrewsalhany5665 Yes we should, but many people (me included sometimes 😋) want to use what the Japanese use.

[@andrewsalhany5665]

@@OddBonsai 😆

[@harrietb2141]

Nice to have you back again.interesting tree.

[@ginettecharbonneau5814]

What a great job...

[@bonsaibro]

I love to work with unusual species. There are so many possibilities out there for great material!

[@BonsaiSociety]

Agreed and it's always nice to see more variety in a collection

[@eddiestokes1943]

Dave thanks for your videos,,they really help,, i am new at this 😊

[@andoionutdan9670]

hi David my name is Dan and realy love what you did with this tree !

[@BenBSeattle]

Thx for the video I've been toying with the idea of yamadori native alders here in the Seattle area. they grow wild.

[@SamDoeckeAussiebonsaibloke]

Wow mate great material. Some people are scared of cut paste and there you are licking your finger so it doesn't stick to them. 🤣🤣 Love your work. Cheers

[@Marceldbd]

subbed! thank you for the great information

[@raffybbc]

Amazing!!!

[@arnopienaar8111]

Bravo Sir

[@patriciatatich3014]

Always great enjoyment in learning with your videos…appreciate your interest in nursery stock for your demo choices. Thank you.

[@biseklitatv6108]

sending full support

[@pookiefromtheheights1109]

Cheers and blessings🙏🏽 Thank You for all the shared knowledge and inspirational tips and methods. Very appreciated 💪🏽🏆

[@harrietb2141]

Very nice final 👏👏👏

[@MrJcalvino]

Underrated specie for bonsai. They grow like weeds! In a development stage you could grow them submerged in water.

[@GERALDBONSAI]

Beautifull bonsai thanks for sharing

[@majesticbonsai6464]

Very nice video, and very informative about the alder species. I really enjoy all your videos. Thanks again!

[@liverocks62]

When I see “unusual” that gets my attention. I love the video and wow look at those bonsais in the background, love it. So new subscriber here👍🏼

[@davemirande8936]

Great job. Just wish all bonsai video artists clearly state what season (e.g. early mid late spring) along with their location and or zone they are working from. Saying "today" is not clear enough to know and it just says 2 years ago it was posted.

[@BlueJayBonsai]

Great job as always David! An interesting tree indeed. You are already well known at my local club (Toronto Bonsai Society), but I’ll remind everyone to subscribe. 👍🇨🇦❤️

[@supergrover17]

@David Easterbrook: Thxz so much for your informative vids. I'd be interested in the names of the types of tools you use so that we new to bonsai/penjing could get them ourselves if we feel the need to use them. If you were to create a list of these tools that you use in each vid n post them in your descriptions, that would be wonderful. TY for sharing your efforts n experiences!!

[@donaldslovey338]

How long do you leave the wire on for?

[@nightcoder5k]

I keep the left over wire cuts for tying stuff, like bags, cables, etc.

[@focus19551]

it looks like such arduous work... i don't know if i could muscle the branches into place

[@BonsaiSociety]

You can always work on smaller specimens

[@timothyramirez9275]

David, do u happen to sell/ship the selaginella plant? I can’t find it locally.

[@nemanjaralic9760]

Love this. Can u make a bonsai with a tree or a bush that lived in the ground for many years because I imagine it has big roots which makes it hard? Thanks

[@brendancahill3376]

Great demo David, but you will have to keep an eye on the wiring for scaring as Alders are such vigorous growers as i am sure you well know.

[@vladimirtrousil677]

Very strong potential. Are you thinking of air-layering for better- looking root base? Thanks for another very educational video

[@markwoodard4012]

Was wondering about that removal of the low branch and also the shortening of the leader. The lower branch removal could have been a sacrifice and that leader could be developed faster with more growth. Is it because of the vigor of that species?

[@jameswalker3416]

I would if I could but no one I know is into trees.

[@BonsaiSociety]

Hey James when I started practicing bonsai in the early 70s I was only 19 years old. No one in Montreal even knew what it was at the time. I could hardly find a book to have any idea where to begin. It doesn't matter if any of your friends practice it or not. If you're passionate about it you'll find a way and develop connections along the way

[@pcho3740]

Personally I would tape or “ protect “ the end of the cut wire , especially when you are swinging the wire towards your face , scary , safety first , careful … Love your videos with your detail explanation… cheers..

[@pcho3740]

Or wear a face shield ..