From Root Bound Japanese Maple to High-Quality Bonsai

In this masterclass available for free, bonsai expert David Easterbrook proceeds to prune, wire and repot a Japanese maple started from seed 13 years ago in a single session.
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Stay up to date with David's work by following him on these social platforms :
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/ davideasterbrookbonsai
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/ davideasterbrook
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And of course make sure to subscribe here on KZbin to be notified for the next bonsai demonstration :
KZbin :
/ davideasterbrook

[@mikenickerson3433]

Not boring at all I love the way you film and talk through your entire process

[@johnrb9397]

I enjoyed every minute, escaping for a time, the craziness of the world. Thanks for taking the time to share.

[@BonsaiSociety]

Thanks for taking the time to send a nice compliment John

[@pokemonmagic.]

I think you should do more videos like this David it's good to have long video's showing more things you do and go into detail and all the thing you need to do thank you 🍁

[@BonsaiSociety]

Thanks I'll do a lot more this coming season

[@bilalkassem1443]

Enjoyed every minute! My favotite part was choosing the pot. Thank you david!!

[@BonsaiSociety]

Hey Bilal nice hearing from you again!

[@GrowingBonsai]

Hi David, just skimmed through this video. The wiring itself I skipped a little, just seeing the beginning to end transformation. This is always a surprise and one of the great things about wiring out bonsai. Hit the subscribe button to make sure I get an update of new work. Looking forward. Cheers, Jelle from Growing Bonsai

[@deineath]

Thanks for the video, David. Love the longer videos. Glad you didn't do a time lapse and explained every move in detail.

[@BonsaiSociety]

I'm glad you enjoyed the longer format

[@legendarybeefcurtain9502]

Love your energy during your videos ! 👍

[@BonsaiSociety]

I'm surprised because I was a little tired that day. Thanks!

[@josemoreira-]

One of the best videos I have saw about pruning, very well explained

[@harrismohammad5009]

Really enjoyed it. Everyone has one more small bit that I can learn. Thank you.

[@edwinfry4865]

That's the first time I watched the whole video of any one from start to finish excellent I have learned so much am very new to bansi I have a 15 English Oke tree my first on I bansi it ,will watch you again thank u most helpful

[@margaretsims4344]

I really enjoyed your demonstration. The tree looks amazing. I also liked you did not add any music, just the sounds of you working. Great job!

[@BonsaiSociety]

Thanks still trying to figure out the right format so any advice is always welcome

[@petercalbraith6226]

Really informative from start to finish and nice to see to see so many elements in one video from styling to repotting

[@danielkfir1718]

I love your work Dave learning so much. I didn't know you can cut thet much.

[@mariakellner5429]

It's never boring david tfs your process Learnt a lot more videos please

[@BonsaiSociety]

There will be more content thank you very much Maria

[@nevnaidoo9801]

I just started watching you and I subscribed to your channel now…You are amazing!!! I will learn so much from you!!!

[@amateurambience]

love maple! thanks for sharing!

[@BonsaiSociety]

Will post more about them!

[@washibonsai5307]

2 Winters before seeds germinate… bonsai is no race❤️ thank You David for sharing Your knowledge and expertise with us! Greetings from the desert in Dubai

[@BonsaiSociety]

Thanks for watching all the way from Dubai

[@GritCityBonsai]

Great transformation! Could you consider a video on developing a maple like this? Your student did a great job!

[@ericor79]

Merci David, j'ai bien apprécié ton video et toutes le connaissances que tu nous as transmises. J'ai hâte de te revoir dans les cours et les ateliers.

[@mulatokudzava7797]

Great lesson, thank you, sir!

[@MrNormart]

new to bonsai and i love waytching your videos very much knowlegde and easy to follow....thank you

[@hadikaddour4438]

Magnifique, j'ai trop hate de pouvoir suivre le cours niveau 3 avec vous!!!

[@BonsaiSociety]

Merci Hadi au plaisir de se voir

[@PAUMsVids]

Is there anyway to see how this tree is doing? The worst part about KZbin videos is I feel like I need to know how the tree responded. And I love you're videos, thank you!

[@arnoldmmbb]

Another masterclass!! Thank yoj very much David 👍

[@BonsaiSociety]

Thanks for the encouragement Arnaldo

[@a.k.h.channel]

Bonsai Javanese maple nice bonsai program,thank you for sharing mr, i'm here to support.

[@bonsaisn]

Thank you for sharing this great video

[@mattdemoraes]

Great video David, and good filming (from your wife?) too. Well done folks. Can see you put a lot of effort into that one.

[@BonsaiSociety]

Thanks Matt! The videographer is actually my son. He's the marketing brain around here. Some days I feel like I'm simply an actor for one of his projects

[@harrietb2141]

Thank you David.I learn a lot from this video.I bougt some maples last Year at the gardencenter,so I know more what to do with them.😍

[@BonsaiSociety]

I'm glad. Maples are a very rewarding bonsai subject so keep at it

[@indianheritage7839]

What a wonderful presentation ❤.. always great contents

[@lorenzodiazcarrillo352]

Made it to the end! Appreciated the in depth video David!! Thank you!

[@12345dyar]

I love your videos David. Thank you for sharing your Knowledge.

[@BonsaiSociety]

Thanks more to come

[@1968drw]

Thank you David. Great video. Great material.

[@BonsaiSociety]

Thank you. Great material has to be grown from a young age

[@bonsaibro]

Loved every minute of this! Great pot choice.

[@BonsaiSociety]

Thank you! Nick Lenz was an amazing American potter and a great bonsai artist. All his pots have a very meaningful importance to me. He's still alive but he had to stop due to health reasons

[@melissacanfield6570]

I made it to the end! When finished root pruning and repotting, did you place it back outdoors in the cold or keep it indoors? I hope you share the progress of this tree throughout the year. Just beautiful! Thank you, David!

[@BonsaiSociety]

Once the tree is repotted you cannot let the roots freeze. Currently we still have temperatures WELL below minus 15 celsius here in Montreal, Canada

[@PoorGuyBonsai]

@@BonsaiSociety I love your work I'm helpless over here in Michigan and could use some guidance!! no body around here knows what bonsai is apart from the scene in karate kid lol

[@lucabaldoni8911]

nice work

[@kirliyapag1641]

Hi David! I'm really enjoying your work and I'm wondering how this tree doing. Please share an update. Thanks in advance!

[@vickiauth682]

Great wiring video!

[@leonardoartese4473]

Excellent video, y thanks David for share it and explain your job. A big bug from Argentina

[@chrisgallagher85]

Great video!! Thank you.

[@RichardDenRooyen1973]

very usefull, well explained! thank you

[@stephenlay9580]

Nice video very informative 👍

[@BonsaiSociety]

Good!

[@dottiesworld979]

I would love to see it now!

[@Bigbawz364]

Liked and subbed a great video David.

[@nancyfahey7518]

Your student got the proportions of the tree very well. The trunk into proportion with branching. I give them an A.

[@TreeVibes]

Great video 👍 thanks for sharing

[@RonaldMcDonaldface]

Informative video!

[@prathapank1337]

Excellent Work.. Thank you......

[@vishallagoo]

Watched every second of video without forwarding. Thanks for the video, it was great. Love from India 🇮🇳

[@BonsaiSociety]

Thanks it means a lot. Visiting India has always been on my bucket list

[@AlexBraunton]

David that was excellent! Thank you for sharing the whole process. Could you explain a bit more about using a medium grain mix with a fine grain mix? Why is a mixture of both needed?

[@BonsaiSociety]

The medium grain is for better drainage and aeration at the bottom of the pot. Whereas the finer grain is used for the top layer because it holds a little more humidity for the feeder roots and for growing moss

[@chrisbanner7551]

@@BonsaiSociety tremendous video David I loved the format of the video and how it was filmed showing the whole process from start to finish ( thanks for not showing the finished tree at the start this time also 😁 ) I l always look forward to your videos every time I thoroughly enjoy them and don't worry there were no boring parts in my opinion your amazing and Thankyou

[@BonsaiSociety]

@@chrisbanner7551 thanks your suggestion from last time was duly noted🤓

[@nancyfahey7518]

@@BonsaiSociety never heard of this but being in Florida the plants sure could use the 2 sizes.

[@brianwitton5061]

Great video.

[@hyperionhelios190]

I'm a little late getting to this video but the bog forest looks great! Coming in low it reminds me of driving up HWY 62 to my parents' cottage near Bancroft.

[@matthewwood4008]

Great video David,can we see a video of your garden please?

[@tylertravis3985]

"All I could find was two Nick Lenz pots" what a huge flex.

[@BondWarrior]

After watching this I’m going to go outside and prune my hibiscus 🌺

[@Bonsaicrazy]

I noticed you haven’t left any room for dieback on the branches David. Is it not necessary on older trees ?? It’s a nice looking tree David I like it 👊

[@SteveTilbey-wx8bx]

Love the video have you got a picture of it later on.

[@ramdisk00]

thank you David great video. Can you tell me more about the soil you used

[@karlcottingham1472]

Awesome tree. Great job wiring and pot selection. David, please be careful tho with your handling of the root hook.

[@karlcottingham1472]

PS I have a silver maple I will style the same way 😊

[@ChrisVidouras]

Very enlightening demonstration! Thank you very much for sharing! If I could offer some constructive feedback that would be to reduce the movement of the camera by about 98%.

[@Andi_M.]

Made it to the end :) :)

[@frepi]

Salut David. Membre de la SBPM depuis1993, j'ai perdu tous mes bonsais en 2016. J'étais complètement découragé mais je pense m'y remettre.

[@wilfriedvangrieken1002]

Excellent video!!

[@dshevack1]

Great Tree

[@thenaturecreater8906]

Watch the hole video. Thanks David. I was always told to repot my japanese maple just as the buds is going out? This has worket great for me?

[@BonsaiSociety]

You are right. Maples should be repotted just before the buds open

[@damonjones1291]

not Too long at all.. it's Great, the way you Walk everyone through what you're doing, but also, your Thinking behind It...brach selection, etc.. Excellent👏🏽 Random question; I stumbled onto a Japanese Holly at a Nursery several months back..THICK Trunk, & only $12, so I had to Get it😅 I've cut it back already, & it's starting to wake up for Spring.. Any tips/suggestions as far as going forward.. if you know the Species.. Ill look forward to the next video.. Always Good Instruction

[@barbararandell6774]

Watched every second of this informative tutorial!👏Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us David.I wonder if you would tell me more a out the soil you use?I'm reasonably new to bonsai, and I'd like to get the soil part of it correct.I live in Australia by the way, so have made some allowances for the climate differences.

[@BonsaiSociety]

Yes we do have a completely opposite climate here in Canada. The potting substrate that I used for this Maple is 50% Akadama (volcanic clay soil from Japan), 25% pumice, and 25% chabasai (zeolite) from Southern France

[@BigGulp]

Hi David. I love your videos. Thank you for sharing them. In this one, you emphasized the need to reduce the roots using downfacing cuts, but didn't explain why. What is the reason and importance of this?

[@dalejames486]

Thanks for the lesson. When the tree is wired into the pot should we be concerned about the wires biting into the roots and leaving wire marks on the nebari?

[@deanmichael4154]

Hi David. Excellent video. I am still by far a beginner and learned soo much watching it. I try to watch all of your videos, i just love your bonsai trees. Could you please tell me more about what that fine material you added in the repotting just before the osmacote fertiliser please. Was it "mica riser" or something? I replayed it but i cant quite catch what you said there. Thanks David

[@CarlosSanchez-tn2gb]

Where do you get a wire spool holder like that? Great video as usual!!!

[@tabiathahenri8032]

Hello I subscribe to your channel so I can learn how to do this your mini tree forest is my favorite my question is why do you wire them ? Thank you for being so public to your talented art

[@hanspeter6198]

Love it

[@BonsaiSociety]

Thanks for watching!

[@Ben-lo7cy]

My trees are doing terrible. Second year in a row that it got warm for about 2 weeks and woke up my trees but then dropped into the 20’s again

[@turvalisus]

A long video is not bad! I put on long videos about bonsai in my workshop when I make bonsai trees. This creates a working atmosphere. One question - do You winter them in a greenhouse? I know you have cold winters. My JM-s stay in greenhous all winter alone. Thank you very much!

[@BonsaiSociety]

No I do not have a greenhouse. They are overwintered in a cold (below 5 degree celsius) garage

[@arnopienaar8111]

Bravo

[@gregoryh4601]

Hello David Can you show this JMT again? It looks like the Pot is Still a Little Small for Tree.

[@christianruschlau1300]

Nice Video… Great tree. Where can i find this wiring caddy!?

[@vladimirtrousil677]

Thanks for another very educational video. For the sacrificial brunch would be more benefit [thickening base trunk faster] without wireing and let free growing.

[@BonsaiSociety]

Thanks Vlad. The wiring doesn't slow down the tree's growth. But you have a valid point when you say the pruning would allow more growth. I did want to make it look good for the video

[@vladimirtrousil677]

@@BonsaiSociety Yes I get that. Thanks for reply David

[@BondWarrior]

I can’t believe how rough you were with the roots,would of expected that treatment to kill the tree

[@BonsaiSociety]

2 years later just sold that tree! It's extremely healthy and vigorous

[@justinnoda3908]

Great watch David! What fine grit can we use to fill the gaps instead of Akadama? I live in interior BC and typically use Pumice, Lava and Bark.

[@cesarurb]

Thank you so much David! Your content it’s very useful! I have a Question. After a process for have girth and thickness I think that is necessary to reset the structure to develop taper, so I would like to know when it’s the best time to to that, in early spring? Or after diets flush of growth?

[@tabooface]

ありがとう

[@jaycrockett9205]

Still trying to figure out why he put wire on that tree. What it needed was proper pruning.

[@jjz3192]

Hello thanks for the video! May you please explain when is the best time to do such drastic root pruning? I'm assuming it's around spring time Feb to March?

[@jackthefarmer08]

Of course, I made it to the end! I admire your knowledge and skill in the art of bonsai, David, but I feel pain when I see you waste all that precious akadama and wire which we cannot always afford!

[@BonsaiSociety]

It is not advisable to reuse old bonsai soil unless it is sterilized. I often restraighten old bonsai wire when I have time

[@ericratynski]

Hi, David. I have myself a Japanese maple sapling that I found growing under an existing tree. I’d say it’s 2 years old and I’ve successfully repotted it. How early should I begin shaping the trunk of the tree?

[@samu8334]

Thak you for the video, I have a question, so do you remove the wire after two week from the beginning of spring?

[@ThuHuynh-vo3cc]

Hi David! I’d like to ask you when is the best season to prune maple tree in container?

[@eduardopaganotto4633]

Update please ❤

[@joannetanner7282]

So if you defoliate and wire in the spring, how long will it take for the maple to leaf out again?

[@creepersushi7816]

what should I do if I break or crease a branch while bending them into shape?

[@Tore1972Wisdom]

Can i ask why you want the branches to go down? If a have to be honest, i liked the branches more before wirering, because they look more natural that way. I understand branches hanging down and conifers, but on maples they should go up a little bit after my taste.

[@andrewogawa1029]

Just watched this video. Will you have to remove wire in late spring to mid-summer because of growth spurt?

[@gguabes]

Hi david, thanks for repotting video tutorial. After repotting what is the best temperature should we keep maple while waiting for spring? Im on ottawa and it was my first time to repot JM, is it safe to repot it now and keep it in unheated garage all through the winter with a minimum of 2'C and high of 5'C+. Thanks you, hoping you can guide me with it.

[@BonsaiSociety]

That's similar to my conditions here in my garage in Montreal. Just make sure the roots never freeze

[@StoneAge03]

if I may ask, which country is the best bonsai from? or they can be good based on the management of the bonsai? thanks

[@stephencreswell229]

Where can I find a wire caddy like that? I'm in the U.S.

[@BonsaiSociety]

I have more than one and I bought them in Japan. They're quite expensive but what a pleasure to use them!

[@stephencreswell229]

@@BonsaiSociety I found a few on eBay. Im going to try and make my own. Thanks for the awesome video.

[@really2345]

The wire caddy used in the video was designed by Urushibatasan of TaiShoEn. The ones on eBay are not his and the prices of those are outrageous.

[@user-nw6ci5qe8t]

Helo sir. Im just very new in bonsai. I bought a little japanese deshojo maple bonsai. And its early spring here in UK. I haven’t try cutting or repoting it.can i repot and cut it this month?

[@jyothilavigne2263]

Would love to know how to over winter your trees. I live in Ottawa and am new to bonsai. Unfortunately I don’t have a greenhouse, a heated garage or an unheated basement and last winter I lost quite a few trees. I live in a suburban area so the land size is very limited. This year I put my trees in the garage and surrounded them with styrofoam. I haven’t taken them out as we still have two months until spring. Any advice you can give will be highly appreciated. Thank you in advance!

[@BonsaiSociety]

Sounds like a good place as long as you can keep the temperature low enough. Below 5 degree celsius in the winter. Also you must check on the watering needs at least once a week because they do dry out in a garage

[@CURS3DC0WB0Y]

I just started bonsai last year. I live in Montana and people around here just use regular potting soil and they don't water as often. Why do you use such granular rocky soil and how often do you water?

[@BonsaiSociety]

We use granular soil for better aeration and good soil drainage. The frequency of watering depends on many factors including where you live so, you must test the soil before watering each time

[@BIRATBONSAI]

namaskar master .i am from nepal starter .plz tell me that is maple plant suitable for hot climate?